."       •          , 


'    PBTF.RS, 


GENERAL  VIEW 

\\ 

OF    THE 

RISE,  PROGRESS.  Ai\D  "BRILLIANT  ACHIEVEMENTS 

or  rj;H£ 

AMERICAN  NAVY, 

DOWN  TO  THE  PRESENT  TIME. 

ILLUSTRATED    BY   BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES,  OFFICIAL    REPORTS, 
AND    INTERESTING    VIEWS    OF   AMERICAN    COMMERCE. 

TO  WHICH  IS  AFFIXED 

A   SUCCTNCT    ACCOUNT   OF   THE  ORIGIN   AND   PROGRESS    OF    THE 

GREEK  RESOLUTION. 

TERMINATING    WITH   THE    GLORIOUS 

VICTORY    OF    WAVARINO, 

October  %0, 


BROOKLYN,  N.  Y. 
MDCCCXXVIII. 


El?3- 
Gf- 


The  strong  interest  which  is  evinced  by  in 
dividuals,  to  learn  the  early  history  of  their 
own  country,  and  the  enthusiasm  with  which 
they  peruse  the  bold  achievements  of  their 
early  defenders,  renders  the  work  before  us  a 
fair  candidate  for  public  favour.  The  aston 
ishing  advancement  of  our  favoured  country 
in  population,  wealth,  arts,  and  arms,  the  space 
which  she  tills  in  the  map  of  the  world,  and 
the  moral  influence  which  she  will  unavoida 
bly  exert  among  the  nations,  are  sufficient  in 
ducements  to  the  study  of  her  history,  and  the 
firm  attachment  of  her  children.  How  far  the 
compiler  of  this  history  has  conduced  to  the  at 
tainment  of  these  objects,  and  with  what  judg 
ment  the  work  is  executed,  is  left  with  his  rea 
ders  to  determine. 

In  relating  the  exploits  of  the  American 
Navy  on  the  Lakes,  he  has  taken  the  liberty 
to  introduce  so  much  of  the  military  opera 
tions  in  the  immediate  vicinity,  as  to  elucidate 
the  corresponding  transactions  of  the  former. 
How  far  this  will  meet  the  public  approbation 
is  not  within  his  province  to  determine ;  but 
he  is  persuaded,  that  those  who  perceive  the 

968266 


PREFACE. 

intimate  relation  which  they  bear  to  each  oth 
er,  will  by  no  means  disapprove  the  plan. 
'  The  deep  interest  which  the  sufferings  and 
heroism  of  the  Greeks  have  excited  both  in 
Europe  and  America,  is  a  sufficient  pledge  < 
the  favourable  reception  which  may  be  expec 
ted  for  the  historical  sketch  which  is   appen 
ded      As  the  conflict  still  rages,  no  sufficient 
data  can  be  afforded  for  a  full  and  correct  his 
tory  ;  and  the  compiler  has  merely  to  say  that 
he 'has  used  his  endeavors  to  select  with  care, 
from   the  most  apparently  correct  sources. 


TABLE  OF  CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER  I.  p.  13. 
Rise  and  Progress  of  the  American  Navy. 

CHAPTER  II.  p.  17. 

Subject  continued. — Nicholas    Biddle,   p.    18  ;  Ed 
ward  Preble,  p.  28  ;  Thomas  Truxton,  p.  30. 

CHAPTER  III.  p.  33. 
John  Paul  Jones. 

CHAPTER  IV.  p.  67. 

Federal  Constitution. — Subject  Continued. — Tripo- 
Jitan  War. 

CHAPTER  V.  p.  74. 

Subject  Continued. 

CHAPTER  VI.  p.  95. 

Causes  that  led  to  the  late  war  with  Great  Britain. — 
War  declared. 

CHAPTER  VII.   p.  96. 
General  movements  in  the  war,  &c. 

CHAPTER  VIII.  p.  117. 
General  view  of  the  naval  operations  of  the  war. 

CHAPTER  IX.  p.  134. 
Naval  adventures  continued. 

CHAPTER  X.  p.  145. 
Naval  operations  continued. 


CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER  XXXIV.  p.  368. 

General  operations  at  the  South. — Capture  of  Wash 
ington,  &c. 

CHAPTER  XXXV.  p.  370. 

General  operations  at  the  north.— Macdonough's  vic 
tory 

CHAPTER  XXXVI.  p.  384. 
General  operations  continued. 

CHAPTER  XXXVII.   p.  398. 
General  Movements  towards  Peace. 

CHAPTER  XXXVIII.  p.  399. 
Comparative  view  of  the  British  and  American  Na 
vies. 

GREEK  REVOLUTION. 

CHAPER  II.  p.   455. 
General  operations  continued. — Summary  view. 

CHAPTER  III.   p.  460. 
Summary  view. — 1824. 

CHAPTER  IV.  p.  465. 
General  summary. — 1 825. 

CHAPTER  V.  p.  468. 
General  summary. — 1826. 

CHAPTER  VI.  p.  474. 

General   summary. — 1827.      Battle   of    Navarino, 
p.  475. 


RISE  AND  PROGRESS  OF 

I 

THE  AMERICAN  NAVY. 

CHAPTER  1%  -  '       -~ 

Rise  and  Progress  of  the  American  Navy,  from  its  Origin 
to  the  commencement  of  the  Revolution,  1775. 

IT  is  not  the  intention  of  the  author  of  this  work,  to 
puff  off  a  conqueror,  or  emblazon  a  hero ;  but  to  deline 
ate  the  exploits  of  great  and  good  men.  To  accomplish 
this,  it  will  be  necessary  to  exhibit  to  view  not  only  their 
own  personal  achievements,  but  to  unite  them  with  a 
general  sketch  of  the  great  events  which  have  marked 
the  rise  and  progress  of  American  commerce,  and  the 
American  Navy  ;  that  by  associating  causes  and  effects, 
the  reader  may  enjoy  an  extensive  view  of  the  whole 
field.  This  subject  will  not  only  be  interesting,  but  ex 
hibit  to  the  world,  at  the  same  time,  a  train  of  the  most 
astonishing  events,  which  have  ever  been  recorded  in  the 
whole  family  of  man. 

The  commerce  of  the  first  settlers  of  North  America, 
in  the  fore  part  of  the  J  7th  century,  was  confined  to  the 
article  of  small  furs  and  peltry,  principally,  which  were 
procured  of  the  natives  ;  to  these  were  soon  added,  to 
bacco,  grain,  provisions,  lumber  of  various  kinds,  &c. 
and  before  the  middle  of  that  century,  the  whale  and 
cod  fisheries,  and  ship  building,  afforded  valuable  arti* 
cles  of  commerce.  Before  the  century  closed,  hemp, 
flax*  oil,  copper  ore,  pig  and  bar  iron,  whale  fins,  indigo, 


14  RISE  AND  PROGRESS  OF 

flax  seed,  and  rum,  were  added  to  their  exports,  and  the 
whole  taken  collectively,  laid  the  foundation  of  a  com-* 
merce,  that  with  England  alone,  at  that  time,  exceeded 
one  million  sterling  annually,  exclusive  of  tbeir  trade 
with  France,  Spain,  Portugal,  Holland,  and  the  other 
commercial  nations  of  Europe,  and  the  West  Indies. 

About  the  first  of  the  1 8th  century,  tar  and  pitch  were 
ranked  among  their  exports.  Cotton  was  introduced  into 
Carolina  soon  after,  and  was  added  to  the  commercial 
stapleb;of  the  south^  and  ranked  among  their  most  valu 
able  exports.  .S'ttch  vMs  the  progress  of  the  commerce 
of  British.  America,,  at  the  commencement  of  the  Revo 
lution  in  n}5,  that'  itfeii*  apriual  exports  amounted  to 
more  than  4000,000/.  sterling.  The  cod  and  whale 
fisheries  formed  very  important  items  in  this  commer 
cial  aggregate.  At  that  time  the  number  of  vessels  em 
ployed  in  the  cod  fisheries  amounted  to  six  hundred  and 
sixty-five,  and  their  tonnage  to  twenty-five  thousand  six 
hundred  and  thirty  ;  manned  by  more  than  four  thou 
sand  seamen.  The  annual  amount  of  fish  exported, 
exceeded  350,000  quintals,  which,  at  $3  the  quintal, 
exceeded  the  sum  of  §1,050,000,  besides  pickled  fish  in 
barrels,  of  about  one  half  or  two  thirds  of  that  sum, 
making  an  annual  aggregate  of  more  than  $1,500,000. 
These  fish  were  sold  principally  in  the  south  of  Europe, 
and  the  West  Indies  and  brought  in  exchange  specie, 
wine,  brandy,  West  India  goods,  &c.  The  commercial 
advantages  of  the  whale  fishery  were  also  at  the  same 
time  very  considerable.  This  fishery  commenced  at  the 
island  of  Nantucket  in  1690,  along  the  \mericancoast, 
and  as  early  as  1715,  they  employed  six  sloops  of  30 
tons  each  ;  but  as  adventurers  engaged  in  the  pursuit,  it 
extended  into  other  regions  and  other  climes.  As  early 
as  1 730,  the  Americans  employed  more  than  300  tons  of 
shipping  in  this  fishery,  and  at  the  commencement  of  the 
Revolution,  the  .colony  of  Massachusetts  employed  more 
than  13000  tons,  and  more  than  4000  seamen.  The 
enterprise  of  the  Americans  at  that  time  is  very  hand- 


THE  AMERICAN  NAVY.  15 

somely  described  by  Mr.  Burke,  in  his  speech  in  the 
British  House  of  Commons,  in  the  following  remarks  : 

"  As  to  the  wealth  which  the  colonists  have  drawn 
from  the  sea  by  their  tisheries,  you  had  all  that  matter 
laid  before  you  at  your  bar.  You  surely  thought  these 
acquisitions  of  value,  for  they  seemed  to  excite  your 
envy,  and  yet  the  spirit  by  which  that  enterprising  em 
ployment  has  been  exercised,  ought  rather,  in  my  opin 
ion,  to  have  raised  esteem  and  admiration.  And  pray, 
sir,  what  in  the  world  is  equal  to  it  ?  Pass  by  the  other 
parts,  and  look  at  the  manner  in  which  the  New  England 
people  of  late  carried  on  their  whale  fishery.  While 
we  follow  them  among  the  tumbling  mountains  of  ice, 
and  behold  them  penetrating  into  the  deepest  frozen  re 
cesses  of  Hudson's  and  Davis's  straits ;  while  we  are 
looking  for  them  beneath  the  arctic  circle,  we  hear  that 
they  have  pierced  into  the  opposite  region  of  polar  cold, 
that  they  are  at  the  antipodes,  and  engaged  under  the 
frozen  serpent  of  the  south.  Falkland  island,  which 
seemed  too  remote  and  too  romantic  an  object  for  the 
grasp  of  national  ambition,  is  but  a  stage  and  resting 
place  for  their  ambitious,  and  victorious  industry.  Nor 
is  the  equinoctial  heat  more  discouraging  to  them,  than 
the  accumulated  winter  of  both  poles.  We  know  that 
while  some  of  them  draw  the  line,  or  strike  the  harpoon 
on  the  coast  of  Africa,  others  run  the  longitude,  and  pur 
sue  their  gigantic  $arne  along  the  coast  of  Brazil.  No 
sea  but  what  is  vexed  with  their  fisheries.  No  clime 
that  is  not  witness  of  their  toils.  Neither  the  persever 
ance  of  Holland,  nor  the  activity  ol  France,  nor  the  dex 
terous,  and  firm  sagacity  of  English  enterprise,  e  'er  car 
ried  their  most  perilous  mode  of  hardy  industry,  to  the 
extent  to  which  it  has  been  pursued  by  this  recent  peo 
ple  ;  a  people  who  are  still  in  the  gristle,  and  not  hard 
ened  into  manhood.5' 

These  sentiments  of  Mr.  Burke  are  in  point  with  the 
object  in  view,  which  is  to  develope  the  springs  of  action 
tliat  stimulated  the  commercial  enterprise  of  the  most 


16  RISE  AND  PROGRESS  OF 

active,  persevering,  hardy,  adventurous,  frugal,  and  in 
dustrious  people  on  earth.  The  same  springs  of  action 
extended  to  every  branch  of  commerce,  until  they  have 
now  become  the  second  commercial  nation  in  the  world. 
Nor  will  it  rest  here  ;  for  the  same  commercial  spirit 
continues  to  rise  with  their  increase  of  population,  and 
their  national  resources  ;  and  will  continue  to  rise,  until 
the  U.  S.  of  America  shall  become,  decidedly,  the  first 
commercial  nation  in  the  world. 

Thus  far  for  a  brief  summary  view,  of  the  rise  and 
progress  of  American  commerce.  Let  us  now  turn  our 
attention  to  the  naval  spirit  and  enterprise  of  this  peo 
ple. 

As  early  as  1710,  the  colonies  of  New-England  fitted 
out  a  naval  armament  and  took  Port  Royal,  a  strong  town 
in  French  Le  Acadia,  now  Annapolis  Royal,  which  was 
the  first  successful  naval  enterprise  of  the  British  colonies. 
In  1745  the  same  colonies  fitted  out  another  armament, 
and  took  from  the  French  the  strong  city  of  Louisburg, 
in  Le  Acadia,  then  called  the  Dunkirk  of  America,  in 
allusion  to  the  strong  fortress  in  France  by  that  name. — 
These  bold  and  successful  adventures  astonished  not  on- 
•iy  Europe,  but  America  herself;  for  brave,  hardy,  enter 
prising  and  valiant  as  they  had  proved  themselves  to 
have  been,  in  their  wars  with  the  French  and  Indians, 
they  had  yet  to  learn,  that  their  strength  could  be  carri 
ed  abroad  successfully,  in  distant  naval  enterprises. 
These  fortresses,  while  in  the  hands  of  the  French,  an 
noyed  their  commerce,  but  more  particularly  their  fish 
ery,  and  they  roused  to  the  contest,  and  wrested  them 
from  their  possession  ;  but  at  the  peace  of  Utrecht,  in 
1713,  the  former  was  restored  ;  and  at  the  peace  of  Aix- 
la-Chapelle,  1748,  the  latter  was  restored  to  the  French. 
In  the  old  seven  years  war,  the  same  colonies  rallied 
again  in  their  strength,  and  fitted  out  another  armament 
in  1758,  to  co-operate  with  a  British  fleet;  and  again  took 
possession  of  Louisburg,  which  still  remains  in  posses 
sion  of  Great  Britain.  Considering  the  numbers  and 


THE  AMERICAN  NAVY.  J7 

resources  of  those  colonies  at  that  day,  these  achieve 
ments  were  as  brilliant  as  the  capture  of  Quebec  in  1759, 
by  Gen.  Wolfe,  or  of  Copenhagen  by  Lord  Nelson,  in 
1 807.  These  valiant  feats  of  arms  were  but  the  budding 
honors  of  America;  but  when  taken  in  connexion  with 
the  splendid  achievements  they  displayed  through  that 
war,  and  their  growing  commerce,  Great  Britain,  after 
the  peace  of  1763,  became  jealous  of  her  rising  Ameri 
can  colonies,  and  commenced  a  system  of  taxation,  and 
other  restrictive  and  coercive  measures,  which  led  to  an 
appeal  to  arms,  that  severed  the  colonies  from  the  moth* 
er  country,  in  the  revolutionary  war,  1775. 


CHAPTER  II. 

Subject  continued. 

At  the  peace  of  1763,  agriculture  and  commerce  again 
engrossed  the  attention  of  the  American  people,  and 
their  naval  spirit  was  hushed  to  repose,  until  it  was  again 
awakened  by  the  din  of  war,  at  the  commencement  of 
the  revolution,  in  1775.  Then  the  sleeping  thunders  of 
America  awoke  in  the  numerous  privateers,  and  othec 
armed  vessels,  which  cruised  successfully  against  the 
commerce  and  armed  ships  of  Britain.  Then  the  naval 
prowess  of  America  began  to  unfold  itself  to  the  world. 
Then  appeared  upon  the  theatre  of  naval  war  a  Biddle, 
a  Preble,  a  Little,  a  Truxton,  and  a  John  Paul  Jones, 
whose  splendid  achievements  added  an  inextinguishable 
lustre  to  their  names,  and  an  immortal  honor  to  their 
country.  The  following  extracts  from  their  several  bio 
graphical  memoirs,  will  serve  more  fully  to  illustrate  this 
remark. 

2* 


18  RISE  AND  PROGRESS  OF 

NICHOLAS  BIDDLE, 
Commodore  in  the  American  Navy. 

Captain  Biddle  was 'born  in  the  city  of  Philadelphia, 
in  the  year  1750.  Among  the  brave  men,  who  perish 
ed  in  the  glorious  struggle  for  the  independence  of  A- 
merica,  Capt.  Biddle  holds  a  distinguished  rank.  His 
services,  and  the  high  expectations  raised  by  his  military 
genius  and  gallantry,  have  left  a  strong  impression  of  his 
merit,  and  a  profound  regret  that  his  early  fate  should 
have  disappointed,  so  soon,  the  hopes  of  his  country. 

Very  early  in  life  he  manifested  a  partiality  for  the  sea, 
and  before  the  age  of  fourteen  he  had  made  a  voyage  to 
Quebec.  In  the  following  year,  1765,  he  sailed  from 
Philadelphia  to  Jamaica,  and  the  Bay  of  Honduras.  The 
vessel  left  the  Bay  in  the  latter  end  of  December,  1765, 
bound  to  Antigua,  and  on  the  second  day  of  January,  in 
a  heavy  gale  of  wind,  she  was  cast  away,  on  a  shoal, 
called  the  Northern  Triangles.  After  remaining  two 
nights  and  a  day  upon  the  wreck,  the  crew  took  to  their 
yawl,  the  long-boat  having  been  lost,  and  with  great  diffi 
culty  and  hazard,  landed  on  one  of  the  small  uninhab 
ited  islands,  about  three  leagues  distant  from  the  reef, 
upon  which  they  struck.  Here  they  staid  a  few  days. 
Some  provisions  were  procured  from  the  wreck,  and 
their  boat  was  refitted.  As  it  was  too  small  to  carry  them 
all  off,  they  drew  lots  to  determine  who  should  remain, 
and  young  Biddle  was  among  the  number.  He,  and  his 
three  companions  suffered  extreme  hardships  for  want 
of  provisions  and  good  water  ;  and,  although  various  ef 
forts  were  made  for  their  relief,  it  was  nearly  two  months 
before  they  succeeded. 

Such  a  scene  of  dangers  and  sufferings  in  the  com 
mencement  of  his  career,  would  have  discouraged  a  youth 
of  ordinary  enterprise  and  perseverance.  On  him  it  pro 
duced  no  such  eflect.  The  coolness  and  promptitude 
with  which  he  acted,  in  the  midst  of  perils  that  alarmed 


THE  AMERICAN  NAVY.  10 

the  oldest  seamen,  gave  a  sure  presage  of  the  force  of  his 
character,  and  after  he  had  returned  home,  he  made 
several  European  voyages,  in  which  he  acquired  a  thor 
ough  knowledge  of  seamanship. 

In  the  year  1770,  when  a  war  between  Great  Britain 
and  Spain  was  expected,  in  consequence  of  the  dispute 
relative  to  Falkland's  Island,  he  went  to  London,  in  or 
der  to  enter  into  the  British  navy.  He  took  with  him 
letters  of  recommendation  from  Thomas  Willing,  Esq. 
to  his  brother-in-law,  Capt.  Sterling,  on  board  of  whose 
ship  he  served  for  some  time  as  a  midshipman.  The 
dispute  with  Spain  being  accommodated,  he  intended 
to  leave  the  navy,  but  was  persuaded  by  Capt.  Sterling 
to  remain  in  the  service,  promising  that  he  would  use  all 
his  interest  to  get  him  promoted.  His  ardent  mind,  how 
ever,  could  riot  rest  satisfied  with  the  inactivity  of  his  sit 
uation,  which  he  was  impatient  to  change  for  one  more 
suited  to  his  disposition. 

In  the  year  1773,  a  voyage  of  discovery  was  underta 
ken,  at  the  request  of  the  Royal  Society,  in  order  to  as 
certain  how  far  navigation  was  practicable  towards  the 
North  Pole,  to  advance  the  discovery  of  a  north-west 
passage  into  the  south  seas,  and  to  make  such  astrono 
mical  observations  as  might  prove  serviceable  to  naviga 
tion. 

Two  vessels,  the  Race  Horse  and  Carcase  were  ii.ted 
out  for  the  expedition,  the  command  of  which  was  given 
to  Captain  Phipps,  afterwards  Lord  Mulgrave.  The  pe 
culiar  dangers  to  which  such  an  undertaking  was  expo 
sed,  induced  the  government  to  take  extraordinary  pre 
cautions  in  fitting  out  and  preparing  the  vessels,  and  se 
lecting  the  crews,  and  a  positive  order  was  issued,  that 
no  boys  should  be  received  on  board. 

To  the  bold  and  enterprising  spirit  of  young  Biddle, 
such  an  expedition  had  great  attractions.  Extremely 
anxious  to  join  it,  he  endeavoured  to  procure  Captain 
Sterling's  permission  for  that  purpose,  but  he  was  un 
willing  to  part  with  him,  and  would  not  consent  to  let 


20  RISE  AND  PROGRESS  OF 

him  go.  The  temptation  was,  however,  irresistible. 
He  resolved  to  go,  and  laying  aside  his  uniform,  he  en 
tered  on  board  the  Carcase  before  the  mast.  When  he 
first  went  on  board,  he  was  observed  by  a  seaman  who 
had  known  him  before,  and  was  very  much  attached  to 
him.  The  honest  fellow,  thinking  that  he  must  have 
been  degraded,  and  turned  before  the  mast  in  disgrace, 
was  greatly  affected  at  seeing  him,  but  he  was  equally 
surprised  and  pleased  when  he  learned  the  true  cause  of 
the  young  officer's  disguise,  and  he  kept  his  secret  as  he 
was  requested  to  do.  Impelled  by  the  same  spirit,  young 
Horatio,  afterwards  Lord  Nelson,  had  solicited  and  ob 
tained  permission  to  enter  on  board  the  same  vessel. 
These  youthful  adventurers  are  both  said  to  have  been 
appointed  cockswains,  a  station  always  assigned  to  the 
most  active  and  trusty  seamen.  The  particulars  of  this 
expedition  are  well  known  to  the  public.  These  intre 
pid  navigators  penetrated  as  far  as  the  latitude  of  eighty- 
one  degrees  and  thirty-nine  minutes,  and  they  were,  at 
one  time,  enclosed  with  mountains  of  ice,  and  their  ves 
sels  rendered  almost  immoveable  for  five  days,  at  the 
hazard  of  instant  destruction.  Captain  Biddle  kept  a 
journal  of  his  voyage,  which  was  afterwards  lost  with 
him.  ^ 

The  commencement  of  the  revolution  gave  anew  turn 
to  his  pursuits,  and  he  repaired,  without  delay,  to  the 
€tandard  of  his  country.  When  a  rupture  between  Eng 
land  and  America  appeared  inevitable,  he  returned  to 
Philadelphia,  and  soon  after  his  arival,  he  was  appoin 
ted  to  the  command  of  the  Camden  galley,  fitted  for  the 
defence  of  the  Delaware.  He  found  this  too  inactive  a 
service,  and  when  the  fleet  was  preparing,  under  Com 
modore  Hopkins,  for  an  expedition  against  New-Provi 
dence,  he  applied  for  a  command  in  the  fleet,  and  was 
immediately  appointed  commander  of  the  Andrew  Do- 
ria,  a  brig  of  14  guns  and  130  men.  Paul  Jones,  who 
was  then  a  lieutenant,  and  was  going  on  the  expedition, 
was  distinguished  by  Captain  Biddle,  and  introduced  to 
his  friends  as  an  officer  of  merit. 


THE  AMERICAN  NAVY.  21 

Before  he  sailed  from  the  Capes  of  Delaware,  an  in 
cident  occurred,  which  marked  his  personal  intrepidity. 
Hearing  that  two  deserters  from  his  vessel  were  at  Lcw- 
istown  in  prison,  an  oiiicer  was  sent  on  shore  for  them, 
but  he  returned  with  information  that  the  two  men,  with 
some  others,  had  armed  themselves,  barricadoed  the 
door,  and  swore  they  would  not  be  taken  ;  that  the  mi 
litia  of  the  town  had  been  sent  for,  but  were  afraid  to  o- 
pen  the  door,  the  prisoners  threatening  to  shoot  the  first 
man  who  entered.  Captain  Biddle  immediately  went  to 
the  prison,  accompanied  by  a  midshipman,  and  calling 
to  one  of  the  deserters,  whose  name  was  Green,  a  stout, 
resolute  fellow,  ordered  him  to  open  the  door  ;  he  re 
plied  that  he  would  not,  and  if  he  attempted  to  enter,  he 
would  shoot  him.  He  then  ordered  the  door  to  be  for 
ced,  and  entering  singly,  with  a  pistol  in  each  hand,  he 
called  to  Green,  who  was  prepared  to  fire,  and  said, 
:i  Now  Green,  if  you  do  not  take  £,ood  aim,  you  are  a 
dead  man."  Daunted  by  his  manner,  their  resolution 
failed,  and  the  militia  coming  in,  secured  them  They 
afterwards  declared  to  the  officer  who  furnishes  this  ac- 
eount,  that  it  was  Captain  Biddle's  look  and  manner, 
which  had  awed  them  into  submission,  for  that  they  had 
determined  to  kill  him  as  soon  as  he  came  into  the 
room. 

Writing  from  the  Capes  to  his  brother,  the  late  Judge 
Biddle,  he  says,  "  I  know  not  what  may  be  our  fate  :  be 
it,  however,  what  it  may,  you  may  rest  assured,  I  will 
never  cause  a  blush  on  the  cheeks  of  my  friends  or  coun 
trymen."  Soon  after  they  sailed,  the  small-pox  broke 
out  and  raged  with  great  violence  in  the  fleet,  which  was 
manned  chiefly  by  New-England  seamen.  The  human 
ity  of  Captain  Biddle,  always  prompt  and  active,  was 
employed  on  this  occasion  to  alleviate  the  general  dis 
tress,  by  all  the  means  in  his  power.  His  own  crew, 
which  was  from  Philadelphia,  being  secure  against  the 
distemper,  he  took  on  board  great  numbers  of  the  sick 
from  the  other  vessels.  Every  part  of  his  vessel  was 


22  RISE  AND  PROGRESS  OF 

crowded,  the  long-boat  was  fitted  for  their  accommoda 
tion,  and  he  gave  up  his  own  cot  to  a  young  midshipman, 
on  whom  he  bestowed  the  greatest  attention  till  his  death. 
In  the  mean  while  he  slept  himself  upon  the  lockers,  re 
fusing  the  repeated  solicitations  of  his  officers,  to  accept 
their  births.  On  their  arrival  at  New-Providence,  it 
surrendered  without  opposition.  The  crew  of  the  An 
drew  Doria,  from  their  crowded  situation,  became  sick, 
and  before  she  left  Providence,  there  were  not  men  e- 
nough,  capable  of  doing  duty,  to  man  the  boats.  Cap 
tain  Biddle  visited  them  every  day,  and  ordered  every 
necessary  refreshment,  but  they  continued  sickly  until 
they  arrived  at  New-London. 

After  refitting  at  New-London,  Captain  Biddle  receiv 
ed  orders  to  proceed  off  the  banks  of  Newfoundland,  in 
order  to  intercept  the  transports  and  store-ships  bound  to 
Boston.  Before  he  reached  the  banks,  he  captured  two 
ships  from  Scotland,  with  400  highland  troops  on  board, 
destined  for  Boston.  At  this  time  the  Andrew  Doria  had 
not  100  men.  Lieutenant  Josiah,  a  brave  and  excel 
lent  officer,  was  put  on  board  one  of  the  prizes,  with  all 
the  highland  officers,  and  ordered  to  make  the  first  port. 
Unfortunately,  about  ten  days  afterwards,  he  was  taken 
by  the  Cerberus  frigate,  and,  on  pretence  of  his  being 
an  Englishman,  he  was  ordered  to  do  duty,  and  extreme 
ly  ill  used.  Captain  Biddle,  hearing  of  the  ill  treatment 
of  Lieutenant  Josiah,  wrote  to  the  admiral  at  New- York, 
that,  however  disagreeable  it  was  to  him,  he  would 
treat  a  young  man  of  family,  believed  to  be  a  son  of  Lord 
Craston,  who  was  then  his  prisoner,  in  the  manner  they 
treated  Lieutenant  Josiah. 

He  also  applied  to  his  own  government  in  behalf  of 
this  injured  officer,  and  by  the  proceedings  of  congress, 
on  the  7th  of  August,  1776,  it  appears,  "that  a  letter 
from  Captain  Nicholas  Biddle  to  the  marine  committee, 
was  laid  before  congress  and  read  :  whereupon.  Resol 
ved,  That  General  Washington  be  directed  to  propose 
#n  exchange  of  Lieutenant  Josiah,  for  a  Lieutenant  of 


THE  AMERICAN  NAVY.  23 

the  navy  of  Great  Britain  :  that  the  general  remonstrate 
to  Lord  Howe  on  the  cruel  treatment  Lieutenant  Josiah 
has  met  with,  of  which  the  congress  have  received  un 
doubted  information.1"  Lieutenant  Josiah  was  exchan 
ged,  after  an  imprisonment  of  ten  months.  After  the 
capture  of  the  ships  with  the  Highlanders,  such  was  Cap 
tain  Biddle's  activity  and  success  in  taking  prizes,  that 
when  he  arrived  in  the  Delaware,  he  had  but  five  of  the 
crew  with  which  he  sailed  from  New-London,  the  rest 
having  been  distributed  among  the  captured  vessels,  and 
their  places  supplied  by  men  who  had  entered  from  the 
prizes.  He  had  a  great  number  of  prisoners,  so  that, 
for  some  days  before  he  got  in,  he  never  left  the  deck. 

While  he  was  thus  indefatigably  engaged  in  weakening 
the  enemy's  power,  and  advancing  his  country's  interest, 
he  was  disinterested  and  generous  in  all  that  related  to 
his  private  advantage.  The  brave  and  worthy  opponent, 
whom  the  chance  of  war  had  thown  in  his  power,  found 
in  him  a  patron  and  friend,  who,  on  more  than  one  occa 
sion,  was  known  to  restore  to  the  vanquished  the  fruits 
of  victory. 

In  the  latter  end  of  the  year  1776,  Captain  Biddle  was 
appointed  to  the  command  of  the  Randolph,  a  frigate  of 
thirty-two  guns.  With  his  usual  activity,  he  employed 
every  exertion  to  get  her  ready  for  sea.  The  difficulty 
of  procuring  American  seamen  at  that  time,  obliged  him, 
in  order  to  man  his  ship,  to  take  a  number  of  British 
seamen,  who  were  prisoners  of  war,  and  who  had  re 
quested  leave  to  enter. 

The  Randolph  sailed  from  Philadelphia,  in  February, 
1777.  Soon  after  she  got  to  sea,  her  lower  masts  were 
discovered  to  be  unsound,  and,  in  a  heavy  gale  of  wind, 
all  her  masts  went  by  the  board.  While  they  were  bear 
ing  away  for  Charleston,  the  English  sailors,  with  some 
others  of  the  crew,  formed  a  design  to  take  the  ship. 
When  all  was  ready,  they  gave  three  cheers  on  the  gun- 
deck.  By  the  decided  and  resolute  conduct  of  Captain 
Biddle  and  his  officers,  the  ringleaders  were  seized  and 
punished,  arid  the  rest  submitted  without  further  resi?- 


24  RISE*  AND  PROGRESS  OF 

|fc 

| 

tance.  After  refitting  at  Charleston,  as  speedily  aspos 
sible,  he  sailed  on  a  cruise,  and  three  days  after  he  left 
the  bar,  he  fell  in  with  four  sail  of  vessels,  bound  from 
Jamaica  to  London.  One  of  them,  called  the  True  Brit 
on,  mounted  twenty  guns.  The  commander  of  her, 
who  had  frequently  expressed  to  his  passengers,  his  hopes 
of  falling  in  with  the  Randolph,  as  soon  as  he  perceived 
her,  made  all  the  sail  he  could  from  her,  but  finding  he 
could  not  escape,  he  hove  too,  and  kept  up  a  constant 
fire,  until  the  Randolph  had  bore  down  upon  him,  and 
was  preparing  for  a  broadside,  when  he  hauled  down  his 
colours.  By  her  superior  sailing,  the  Randolph  was  en 
abled  to  capture  the  rest  of  the  vessels,  and  in  one  week 
from  the  time  he  sailed  from  Charleston,  Captain  Biddle 
returned  there  with  his  prizes,  which  proved  to  be  very 
valuable. 

Encouraged  by  his  spirit  and  success,  the  state  of 
South  Carolina  made  exertions  for  fitting  out  an  expe 
dition  under  his  command.  His  name,  and  the  person 
al  attachment  to  him,  urged  forward  a  crowd  of  volun 
teers  to  serve  with  him,  and  in  a  short  time,  the  ship  Gen 
eral  Moultrie,  the  brigs  Fair  America,  and  Polly,  and 
the  Notre  Dame,  were  prepared  for  sea.  A  detachment 
of  fifty  men  from  the  first  regiment  of  South  Carolina 
continental  infantry,  was  ordered  to  act  as  marines  on 
board  the  Randolph.  Such  was  the  attachment  which 
the  honorable  and  amiable  deportment  of  Captain  Bid- 
die  had  impressed,  during  his  stay  at  Charleston,  andlfeuch 
the  confidence  inspired  by  his  professional  conduct  and 
valor,  that  a  general  emulation  pervaded  the  corps  to 
have  the  honor  of  serving  under  his  command.  The 
tour  of  duty,  after  a  generous  competition  among  the 
officers,  was  decided  to  Captain  Joor,  and  Lieutenants 
Grey  and  Simmons,  whose  gallant  conduct,  and  that  ol 
their  brave  detachment,  did  justice  to  the  high  charac 
ter  of  the  regiment.  As  soon  as  the  Randolph  was  re 
fitted,  and  a  new  mainmast  obtained  in  place  of  one 
which  had  been  struck  with  lightning,  shedropt  down  to 


25 

Rebellion  Roads  with  her  little  squadron.  Their  inten 
tion  was  to  attack  the  Carysfort  frigate,  the  Perseus  twen 
ty -four  gun  ship,  the  Hihchinbrook  of  sixteen  guns,  and 
a  privateer  which  had  beeri  cruizing  off  the  Bar,  and  had 
much  annoyed  the  trade.  They  were  detained  a  con 
siderable  time  in  Rebellion  Roads,  after  they  were  ready 
to  sail,  by  contrary  winds  and  want  of  water  on  the 
Bar,  for  the  Randolph.  As  soon  as  they  got  over  the 
Bar,  they  stood  to  the  eastward,  in  expectation  of  falling 
in  with  the  British  cruizers.  The  next  day  they  retook 
a  dismasted  ship  irom  New-England  ;  as  she  had  no  car 
go  en  board,  they  took  out  her  crew,  six  light  guns,  and 
some  stores,  and  set  her  on  fire.  Finding  that  the  Brit 
ish  ships  had  left  the  coast,  they  proceeded  to  the  West 
Indies,  and  cruised  to  the  eastward,  and  nearly  in  the 
latitude  of  Barbadoes,  for  some  days,  during  which  time 
they  boarded  a  number  of  French  and  Dutch  ships,  and 
took  an  English  schooner  from  JNew-York,  bound  to 
Grenada,  which  had  mistaken  the  Randolph  for  a  Brit 
ish  frigate,  and  was  taken  possession  of  before  the  mis 
take  was  discovered. 

On  the  night  of  the  7th  March.  1778,  the  fatal   acci 
dent  occurred,  which  terminated  the  life  of  this  excel 
lent  officer.     For  some  days  previously,  he  had  expec 
ted  an  attack.     Captain  Blake,  a  brave  officer,  who  com 
manded  a  detachment  of  the  second  South  Carolina  regi 
ment,  serving  as  marines  on  board  the  General  Moultrie. 
and  to  whom  we  are  indebted  for  several  of  the  ensuing 
particulars,  dined  on  board  the  Randolph  two  days  be 
fore  the  engagement.     At  dinner  Captain  Biddie  said, — 
"We  have  been  cruizing  here  for  some  time,  and  have, 
spoken  a  number  of  vessels,  who  will   no  doubt  give  in 
formation  of  us,  and  I  should  not  be  surprised  if  my  old 
ship  should  be  out  after  us.     As  to  any  thing  that  carries 
her  guns  upon  one  deck,  I  think  myself  a  match  for  her.1' 
About  three  P.  M.  of  the  7th  ol  March,  a  signal  was  made 
from  the  Randolph  for  a  sail  to  the  windward,  in  conse 
quence  of  which  the  squadron  hauled  uptfn  a  wind,  in 
3 


26  RISE  AND  PROGRESS    OF 

order  to  speak  her.  It  was  four  o'clock  before  she  coultl 
be  distinctly  seen,  when  she  was  discovered  to  be  a  ship, 
though  as  she  neared  and  came(before  the  wind,  she  had 
the  appearance  of  a  large  si qp.p  with  only  a  square  sail 
Act.  About  seven  o'clock,  the  Randolph  being  to  wind 
ward,  hove  to,  the  Moultrie  being  about  one  hundred  and 
fifty  yards  astern,  and  rather  to  leeward,  also  hove  to. 
About  eight  o'clock,  the  British  ship  fired  a  shot  just 
ahead  of  the  Moultrie.  and  hailed  her  ;  the  answer  was 
the  Polly  of  New-York  ;  upon  which  she  immediately 
hauled  her  wind  and  hailed  the  Randolph.  She  was? 
then,  for  the  first  time,  discovered  to  be  a  two-decker. 
After  several  questions  asked  and  answered,  as  she  was 
ranging  up  along  side  the  Randolph,  and  had  got  on  her 
weather  quarter,  Lieutenant  Barnes,  of  that  ship,  called 
out,  uThis  is  the  Randolph,"  and  she  immediately  hoisted 
her  colours  and  gave  the  enemy  a  broadside.  Shortly 
after  the  action  commenced,  Caplain  Biddle  received  a 
wound  in  the  thigh  and  fell.  This  occasioned  some 
confusion,  as  it  was  at  first  thought  that  he  was  killed. 
He  soon,  however,  ordered  a  chair  to  be  brought,  said 
that  he  was  only  slightly  wounded,  and  being  carried  for 
ward  encouraged  the  crew.  The  stern  of  the  enemy's 
ship  being  clear  of  the  Randolph,  the  captain  of  the 
Moultrie  gave  orders  to  fire,  but  the  enemy  having  shot 
ahead,  so  as  to  bring  the  Randolph  between  them,  the 
last  broadside  of  the  Moultrie  went  into  the  Randolph, 
and  it  was  thought  by  one  of  the  men  saved,  who  was  sta 
tioned  on  the  quarter-deck  near  Captain  Biddie,  that  he 
was  wounded  by  a  shot  from  the  Monltrie.  The  fire 
from  the  Randolph  was  constant  and  well  directed.  She 
fired  nearly  three  broadsides  to  the  enemy's  one,  and  she 
appeared,  while  the  battle  lasted,  to  be  in  a  continual 
bU>/e.  In  about  twenty  minutes  after  the  action  began, 
and  while  the  surgeon  was  examining  Captain  Biddle's 
wound  on  the  quarter-dtck,  the  Randolph  blew  up. 

The  enemy's  vessel  was  the   British  vessel  Yarmouth, 
of  sixty-four  guns,  commanded  by  Captain  Vincent.- 


THE  AMERICAN  NAVF.  27 

So  closely  were  they  engaged,  that  Captain  Morgan  of 
the  Fair  American,  and  all  his  crew,  thought  that  it  was 
the  enemy's  ship  that  had  blown  up.  He  stood  for  the 
Yarmouth,  and  had  a  trumpet  in  "his  hand  to  hail  and  in 
quire  how  Captain  Biddle  was,  when  he  discovered  hi? 
mistake.  Owing  to  the  disabled  condition  of  the  Yar 
mouth,  the  other  vessels  escaped. 

The  cause  of  the  explosion  was  never  ascertained, 
but  it  is  remarkable  that  just  before  he  sailed,  after  the 
clerk  had  copied  the  signals  and  orders  for  the  armed 
vessels  that  accompanied  him,  he  wrote  at  the  foot  of 
them,  u  In  case  of  coming  to  action  in  the  night  be  very 
careful  of  your  magazines."  The  number  of  persons  on 
board  the  Randolph  was  three  hundred  and  fifteen,  who 
all  perished,  except  four  men,  who  were  tossed  about  for 
four  days  on  a  piece  of  the  wreck  before  they  were  dis 
covered  and  taken  up.  From  the  information  of  two  of 
these  men,  who  were  afterwards  in  Philadelphia,  and  of 
some  individuals  in  the  other  vessels  of  the  squadron,  we 
have  been  enabled  to  state  some  particulars  of  this  un 
fortunate  event  in  addition  to  the  accounts  given  of  it  by 
Dr.  Ramsay,  in  his  History  of  the  American  Revolution, 
and  in  his  history  of  the  Revolution  of  South  Carolina. 
In  the  former  work,  the  historian  thus  concludes  his  ac 
count  of  the  action  :  u  Captain  Biddle  who  perished  on 
board  the  Randolph  was  universally  lamented.  He  was 
in  the  prime  of  life,  and  had  excited  high  expectations  of 
future  usefulness  to  his  country,  as  a  bold  and  skilful 
naval  officer. " 

Thus  prematurely  fell,  at  the  age  of  twenty-seven,  as 
gallant  an  officer  as  a  »)  country  ever  boasted  of.  In  the 
short  career  which  Providence  allowed  to  him,  he  dis 
played  all  those  qualities  which  constitute  a  great  sol 
dier.  Brave  to  excess,  and  consummately  skilled  in  his 
profession,  no  danger  nor  unexpected  event  could  shake 
his  firmness,  or  disturb  his  presence  of  mind.  An  exact 
and  rigid  disciplinarian,  he  tempered  his  authority  with 
*:<*  much  humanity  and  affability,  that  his  orders  were 


-8  RISE  AND  PROGRESS  OF 

always  executed  with  cheerfulness  and  alacrity.  Per- 
fyaps  no  officer  ever  understood  better  the  art  of  com 
manding  the  affections,  as  well  as  the  respect  of  those 
who  served  under  him  ;  if  that  can.be  called  an  art, 
which  was  rather  the  natural  effect  oif  the  benevolence 
and  magnanimity  of  his  character."* 


EDWARD  PREBLE, 
Commodore   in  the  American  Navy. 

*;JEDEDIAH  PRERLE  held  the  commission  of  brigadier 
general,  under  the  colonial  government  of  Massachusetts 
Bay.  In  the  struggle  for  independence,  he  took  a  deci 
ded  stand  in  opposition  to  the  encroachments  of  the  Brit 
ish  crown,  and  during  that  contest,  was  for  several  years, 
a  member  of  the  council  and  senate  of  that  state.-  He 
died  in  the  year  1783,  aged  seventy-seven,  having  been 
gratified  by  the  disposer  of  human  events  to  live  just  long 
enough  to  see  perfected  the  emancipation  of  this  coun 
try  from  European  thraldom,  a  blessing  partly  denied  to 
Moses,  who  was  only  permitted  to  view  the  promised 
land  at  a  distance,  and  then  expire. 

This  gentleman,  in  the  year  1761,  resided  in  a  part  of 
Falmouth,  called  then  Casco  Bay,  now  Portland,  in  the 
Province  of  Maine,  where  his  son  Edward,  the  subject  of 
this  memoir,  was  born  on  the  1 5th  of  August  in  that  year. 
In  his  infantile  years,  he  discovered  a  persevering  and 
bold  temper.  His  form  was  robust^  his  constitution 
strong,  and  invigorated  by  athletic  sports.  His  father 
placed  him  at  Dummer  academy,  Newbury,  where  he 
received  the  rudiments  of  a  Latin  and  English  education, 
under  a  Mr.  Samuel  Moody,  a  gentleman  in  high  re 
spect  for  his  integrity  and  literary  qualifications. 

la  contrariety  to  the  wishes  and  expectations  of  hi* 

*  Regers's  Amer.  Biographical  Dictionary, 


THE  AMERICAN   NAVY.  29 

father,  he,  at  an  early  period,  manifested  a  predilection 
for  the  sea,  and  as  he  persisted  in  his  inclination,  his 
father  at  last  deemed  it  proper  to  gratify  him.  Hence 
he  left  school  at  the  dawn  of  the  revolution,  and  instead 
of  entering  a  freshman  at  college,  he  entered  freshman  on 
board  of  a  letter  of  marque,  Captain  Frend,  and  made  his 
first  voyage  in  a  trip  to  Europe.  At  the  age  of  eighteen, 
he  was  a  midshipman  on  board  the  state  ship  Protector, 
of  twenty-six  guns,  Captain  John  Foster  Williams,  in 
1779.  On  her  first  cruise  he  had  to  perform  his  part  in 
a  hard  fought  action  with  the  English  letter  of  marque 
DufF,  carrying  thirty-six  guns,  oft'  Newfoundland,  when 
the  enemy  at  last  blew  up.  Scarcely  forty  of  the  crew 
were  saved.  During  his  second  cruise,  the  Protector 
was  captured,  and  her  principal  officers  sent  prisoners 
to  England,  with  the  exception  of  Preble,  who  was  re 
leased  at  New-York,  through  the  influence  of  a  Colonel 
William  Tyng,  his  father's  intimate  friend.  As  soon  as 
he  obtained  his  liberty,  he  returned  home. 

Mr.  George  Williams,  the  late  first  lieutenant  of  the 
Protector,  having  been  appointed  to  command  the  sloop 
of  war  Winthrop,  then  fitting  out  at  Boston,  Mr.  Preble 
entered  as  first  lieutenant,  and  continued  in  her  until  the 
peace  of  1783,  rendering  many  essential  services  in  the 
line  of  his  duty.  His  daring  courage  and  presence  of 
mind  in  the  midst  of  danger,  will  be  best  illustrated  by 
the  following  anecdote  : 

Captain  Little,  having  the  tender  of  an  English  armed 
brig,  which  lay  in  the  harbor  of  Penobscot,  was  advised 
of  certain  circumstances,  which  induced  him  to  attempt 
her  capture  by  surprise.  To  accomplish  this  object,  he 
run  along-side  the  brig  in  the  night,  and  had  forty  board 
ers  dressed  in  white  frocks,  to  distinguish  them  from  the 
enemy.  As  he  advanced,  he  was  taken  for  the  brig's 
tender,  hailed,  and  directed  to  run  aboard.  Little's  re 
ply  was,  that  he  was  coming  aboard. 

As  Little  came  along-side  the  brig,  Lieutenant  Preble 
and  fourteen  of  the  party   appointed  for  the   purpose- 
3* 


3@  RISE   AND  PROGRESS  OF 

jumped  on  board  ;  but  the  rapidity  of  the  vessel's  pas 
sage  prevented  the  remainder  from  following.  Captain 
Little,  finding  the  precariousness  of  Treble's  situation, 
hailed  him,  desiring  to  know,  if  he  would  not  have  more 
men.  His  reply,  indicative  of  great  presence  of  mind, 
was,  u  No,  we  have  more  than  we  want  ;  we  stand  in 
each  other's  way."  The  brig  being  within  pistol  shot  of 
the  shore,  the  chief  part  of  the  enemy  on  deck  leaped 
over  board,  and  swam  to  land  ;  who  were  followed  by 
some,  who  made  their  escape  through  the  cabin  windows. 
The  officers  were  just  rising  as  Preble  entered  the  cab 
in  ;  he  assured  them,  that  they  were  his  prisoners,  and  that 
any  resistance  would  be  vain  and  fatal  to  them.  The 
vessel  of  course  was  surrendered,  and  it  was  supposed  to 
.superior  force.  Notwithstanding  a  brisk  cannonade  and 
firing  of  musketry  from  a  battery  on  shore,  Preble  beat 
his  prize  out  of  the  harbor,  and  arrived  at  ^Boston,  with 
out  injury.  The  knowledge  of  this  gallant  achievement 
greatly  enhanced  his  reputation  as  a  naval  officer. 


THOMAS  TRUXTON, 

Commodore  in  the  American  Navy. 

'*  THE  father  of  Captain  Truxton  was  an  eminent 
counsellor  of  the  bar,  in  the  then  colony  of  New- York, 
and  resided  on  Long  or  Nassau  Island,  where  the  Com 
modore  was  born  on  the  17th  of  February,  1755.  Hav 
ing  lost  his  father  at  an  early  age,  he  was  placed  under 
the  care  of  John  Troup,  Esq.  of  Jamaica,  Long-Island, 
a  gentleman  well  known  in  the  annals  of  the  war  between 
France  and  England,  preceding  the  American  revolu 
tion.  The  sea  was  his  favorite  element.  At  twelve 
years  of  age,  he  first  embarked  in  his  naval  career 
under  a  Captain  Joseph  Holmes,  in  the  ship  Pitt,  bound 
for  Bristol.  England.  The  next  year,  he  sailed  mder  a 
Captain  Chambers,  in  the  London  trade.  While  yet  in 


THE   AM  ERIC  Alf  NAVY.  31 

his  novitiate  he  was  impressed  on  board  of  an  English 
ship  of  war  of  sixty-four  guns,  during  the  dispute  with 
Spain  about  the  Falkland  Islands,  from  which  ship  he 
was  afterwards  released,  through  the  influence  of  some 
friends  in  power.  The  commander  of  his  Britannic 
Majesty's  ship  Prudent,  from  which  he  was  discharged, 
used  every  persuasion  to  induce  him  to  remain  in  the 
service  of  the  crown,  with  the  strongest  assurances,  that 
every  exertion  should  be  used  for  his  speedy  promotion, 
but  without  effect,  as  he  immediately  returned  to  the 
ship  and  service  from  which  he  had  been  impressed. 

In  the  beginning  of  the  revolutionary  struggle  he  forth 
with  embarked  in  the  cause  of  the  colonies  against  the 
unjust  oppression  of  Great  Britain,  and  early  in  1775 
had  the  command  of  an  armed  vessel,  with  which  he 
cruised  against  the  enemy  with  great  success.  In  these 
cruises,  the  United  States  were  much  benefited  by  the 
quantities  of  powder  which  were  found  on  board  his  pri 
zes,  of  which  articles  they  were  greatly  in  want.  To 
wards  the  close  of  the  same  year,  when  on  a  voyage  to 
St.  Kustatia,  a  Dutch  island  in  the  West  Indies,  in  a  let 
ter  of  marque,  of  which  he  was  half  owner,  he  was  cap 
tured  off' the  Island  of  St.  Christopher's,  his  vessel  con 
demned,  and  himself  released  under  the  provisions  of  the 
general  restraining  act  of  the  British  Parliament.  From 
St.  Christopher's  he  went  to  St.  Euslatia,  and  thence  to 
Philadelphia.  His  next  cruise  was  in  the  capacity  of 
first  lieutenant  of  the  private  armed  ship  Congress, 
which  was  just  equipping  for  sea.  During  the  early 
part  of  the  winter  of  1776,  this  vessel,  in  company  with 
another  private  armed  vessel,  called  the  Chance,  fitted 
out  at  the  same  time,  made  several  prizes  off  the  Havan- 
na,  which  were  very  valuable  home-bound  Jamaica 
ships,  going  through  the  Gulf  of  Florida.  He,  as  prize- 
master,  brought  one  of  them  safe  into  the  port  of  Bedford, 
Massachusetts.  In  June  of  the  same  year,  while  the 
harbor  of  New- York  was  blockaded  by  the  British  fleet, 
previous  to  its  evacuation  by  the  Americans3  he  made 


32  RISE  AND  PROGRESS  OF 

his  way  to  sea  through  the  Long  Island  Sound,  in  a  ves 
sel  called  the  Independence,  fitted  out  by  himself  and 
Isaac  Sears,  Esq.  and  placed  under  his  command.  Off 
the  Azores  or  Western  Isles,  he  made  several  prizes,  of 
which  three  were  large  and  valuable  ships,  forming  a 
part  of  the  Windward  Island  fleet,  under  convoy.  One 
of  these  prizes  carried  more  guns  and  men  than  his  ves 
sel.  The  proud  Englishmen,  notwithstanding  their 
vaunted  natural  prowess,  were  obliged  to  strike  their 
colours  to  an  inferior  force.  Truxton  next  directed 
his  course  to  the  British  Channel,  in  the  ship  Mars,  of 
twenty  guns,  where  he  made  a  number  of  prizes,  several 
of  which  he  sent  into  Quiberon  Bay.  The  French  court, 
from  a  desire  to  lessen  the  strength  of  a  rival  power, 
had  for  some  time  lent  a  secret  aid  to  the  revolting  col 
onies,  yet  it  had  not  manifested  their  hostile  intentions 
so  openly  as  to  induce  the  recal  of  the  British  minister 
from  Versailles.  Hence  upon  the  reception  of  these  pri 
zes,  into  a  French  port,  the  British  ambasador,  Lord 
Stormont,  made  a  strong  remonstrance  to  the  cabinet, 
protesting  against  the  admission  of  American  armed  ves 
sels  and  prizes  into  the  ports  of  France,  but  without  ef 
fect.  Truxton,  after  this  cruise,  domiciliated  himself  in 
Philadelphia,  from  which  port  he  sailed  during  the  re 
mainder  of  the  war,  commanding  vessels,  of  which  he 
was  in  general  part  owner.  His  cruises  were  generally 
successful. 

When  commanding  the  St.  James,  of  20  guns,  and  one 
hundred  men,  on  a  voyage  to  France  with  Thomas  Bar 
clay,  Esq.  the  Consul  General  from  the  revolted  colo 
nies  to  that  country,  a  passenger  on  board,  he  fell  in 
with  a  British  private  ship  of  war,  mounting  32  guns 
and  a  proportionate  number  of  men.  consequently  nearly 
double  his  force.  After  a  severe  and  close  engagement, 
the  enemy  was  obliged  to  sheer  off,  and  was  afterwards 
towed  into  New-York  in  a  very  crippled  state.  The 
late  Secretary  of  the  Navy,  William  Jones,  Esq.  acted  as 
Captain  Truxton  7s  third  lieutenant,  and  conducted  him- 


THE  AMERICAN  NAVY  33 

self  during  the  whole  engagement  with  such  distinguish 
ed  bravery,  that  he  was  shortly  after  promoted  to  a  first 
lieutenancy.  In  this  vessel,  Truxton  returned  safe  to 
Philadelphia  with  a  most  valuable  cargo.  He  used 
every  means  in  his  power  to  harass  the  enemy  on  the 
ocean,  during  every  period  of  the  war,  and  constantly 
evinced  the  most  consummate  skill  and  undaunted  cour 
age  ;  and  his  exertions  were  almost  universally  crowned 
with  complete  success. 


CHAPTER  III. 

JOHN  PAUL  JONES, 
Commodore  in  the  American  Nary. 

•4  THE  following  interesting  narrative  is  trans! atedfrom 
a  French  manuscript,  written  by  himself.  While  we 
condemn  the  author  for  his  egotism,  we  must  make  great 
allowances,  on  that  account  for  the  splendid  success  that 
attended  his  enterprises,  and  estimate  his  vanity  by  the 
reason  he  had  to  he  vain.  Few  even,  perhaps,  circum 
stanced  as  .Paul  Jones  was,  would  have  praised  them 
selves  less  than  he  has  done  in  this  sketch  ;  which  pos 
sesses  the  singular  merit  of  being  substantially  correct  in 
all  parts,  so  far  as  we  are  informed  of  the  matter.''— 
Niles"*  Register. 

"  At  the  commencement  of  the  American  war  (during 
the  year  1775)  I  was  employed  to  fit  out  the  little  squad 
ron,  which  the  congress  had  placed  under  Commodore 
Hopkins,  who  was  appointed  to  the  command  of  all  the 
armed  vessels  appertaining  to  America,  and 
with  my  own  hands, Jthe.. American  flag^  on"ESra 
fred,  which  was  then  displayed  for  the  first  time. 


84  ftlSE  AND  PROGRESS  OF 

I  at  the  same  time,  acquainted  Mr.  Hewes,  a  member 
of  congress,  and  my  particular  friend,  with  a  project  for 
seizing  on  the  Island  of  St.  Helena,  by  means  of  our  lit 
tle  squadron,  which  would  have  infallibly  rendered  us 
masters  of  part  of  the  homeward-bound  East  India  fleet  ; 
and  as  the  congress,  at  that  time,  proposed  to  appropriate 
two  thirds  of  the  prizes  to  itself,  they  would  have  thus 
been  furnished  with  the  means  of  carrying  on  the  war 
during  several  years  ;  but  an  event  of  a  more  pressing 
nature  prevented  this  scheme  from  being  carried  into 
execution. 

The  cruelties  and  vexations,  at  that  time  exercised  by 
Dunmore,  in  Virginia,  determined  the  congress  to  de 
tach  the  squadron  against  him  ;  but  Mr.  Hopkins  dis 
played  neither  zeal  nor  talents  upon  this  occasion,  and 
lost  so  much  time  that  his  squadron  was  frozen  in  the 
Delaware. 

After  a  delay  of  two  months,  the  squadron  was  at 
length  disengaged,  and  set  sail  for  New-Providence,  the 
principal  of  the  Bahama  Islands.  There  we  found  a 
large  quantity  of  artillery,  mortars  and  other  implements 
of  warfare,  of  which  we  stood  greatly  in  want  in  Ameri 
ca  ;  and  I  had  the  good  fortune  to  render  myself  ex* 
trernely  useful  to  the  commodore,  who  was  but  little  ac 
quainted  with  military  operations.  It  was  to  me  he  was 
indebted  for  the  plan  adopted  by  him  when  the  squad 
ron  came  in  sight  of  New-Providence,  and  I  also  under 
took  to  moor  the  squadron  in  a  proper  birth  to  execute 
our  enterprize. 

On  our  return  from  New-Providence,  we  took  two 
armed  vessels,  one  of  which  was  loaded  with  bombs,  and 
fell  in.  near  Rhode-Island,  with  an  English  man  of  war, 
called  the  Glasgow,  carrying  twenty-four  guns  ;  but  not 
withstanding  our  superiority,  both  in  point  of  force  and 
sailing,  the  commander  in  chiel  suffered  her  to  escape, 
after  having  lost  many  men  killed  and  wounded,  both  on 
board  the  Alfred  and  the  Cabot. 

Thtf  srpiadron  now  entered  the  port  of  New-London, 


THE  AMERICAN  NAVY,  3.^ 

in  Connecticut ;  and  Hopkins,  on  receiving  intelligence 
that  the  English  frigates  had  been  driven  from  Newport, 
took  advantage  of  the  darkness  of  the  nights  to  repair  to 
Rhode-Island. 

A  council  of  war  having  dismissed  the  captain  of  the 
Providence,  one  of  the  ships  of  the  squadron,  the  com 
modore  gave  me  orders  in  writing  to  take  the  command 
of  her,  and  to  escort  some  troops  that  were  proceeding 
from  Rhode-Island  to  New- York,  with  a  view  of  serving 
under  General  Washington.  After  this,  I  received  in 
structions  to  escort  a  convoy  of  artillery  from  Rhode- 
Island  to  New- York,  for  the  defence  of  which  it  was 
destined.  On  this  occasion,  I  had  two  different  engage 
ments  with  the  Cerberus  frigate  ;  the  first  for  the  protec 
tion  of  the  vessels  under  my  command,  and  the  second 
for  the  preservation  of  a  vessel  from  St.  Domingo,  laden 
with  naval  stores  for  the  congress.  In  the  course  of  my 
service  between  Boston  and  New-York,  I  had  also  many 
actions  with  ships  of  war  under  the  command  of  Lord 
Howe  ;  but  on  these  as  on  former  occasions,  I  was  ena 
bled  to  preserve  my  convoy,  and  I  at  length  arrived  safe 
in  the  Delaware,  August  1,  1776. 

On  the  8th  of  the  same  month  the  president  of  the 
congress  presented  me  in  person,  with  the  commission 
of  captain  in  the  marine  of  the  United  States  ;  this  was 
the  first  granted  by  congress  since  the  declaration  of  in 
dependence,  which  took  place  on  the  4th  of  July  of  that 
same  year. 

Orders  had  been  given  for  the  construction  of  thirteen 
frigates  :  but,  as  none  of  them  was  yet  ready,  1  proceed 
ed  to  sea  alone,  on  board  the  Providence,  which  was  a 
vessel  of  but  small  force,  as  she  carried  no  more  than 
seventy  men,  and  twelve  small  cannon.  When  in  the 
neighborhood  of  Bermudas,  we  fell  in  with  the  Solebay, 
and  her  convoy,  from  Charleston  ;  she  was  a  thirty-two 
gun  frigate,  and  formed  part  of  the  squadron  under  Ad 
miral  Parker.  I  was  of  course  deisirous  of  avoiding  an 
engagement  with  such  superior  force  :  but,  as  my  offi- 


36  RISE  AND  PROGRESS  OF 

cers  and  men  insisted  that  it  was  the  Jamaica  fleet,  as  it 
was  necessary  to  command  by  means  of  persuasion  at 
this  epoch  of  the  war,  the  result  was  a  serious  engage 
ment  during  six  hours,  which  towards  the  close,  was  car 
ried  on  within  pistol  shot.  A  desperate  mano3iivre  was 
the  sole  resource  left  me  :  I  attempted  this,  it  succeeded, 
and  I  was  fortunate  enough  to  disengage  myself. 

A  short  time  after  this,  I  took  several  prizes,  and  then 
sailed  towards  the  coast  of  Nova  Scotia,  on  purpose  to 
destroy  the  whale  and  cod  fisheries  in  that  neighborhood. 
When  near  Sable  Island,  we  fell  in  with  the  Milford 
frigate,  carrying  thirty-two  guns,  with  which  it  was  im 
possible  to  avoid  an  engagement.  A  cannonade  accor 
dingly  took  place,  from  ten  o'clock  in  the  morning  un 
til  sunset  ;  but  the  engagement  was  neither  so  close  nor 
so  hot  as  that  with  the  Solebay,  and  I  at  length  escaped 
through  the  flats,  ano  entered  a  little  harbor  next  day, 
where  I  destroyed  the  fishery  and  vessels. 

After  this  I  set  sail  for  the  Madame,  where  I  made  two 
descents,  at  the  same  time  destroying  the  fisheries,  and 
burning  all  the  vessels  I  could  not  carry  away  with  me. 
Having  accomplished  this,  I  returned  to  Rhode-Island, 
after  an  absence  of  six  weeks  and  five  days  from  the 
Delaware  ;  during  this  interval  I  had  taken  sixteen  pri 
zes,  without  including  those  destroyed. 

The  commander  in  chief,  who  had  remained  all  this 
time  in  harbor,  now  adopted  a  plan  proposed  by  me, 
and  which  consisted, 

1.  In  the  destruction  of  the  enemy's  fisheries  at  Isle 
Royale  ;  and 

2.  Of  restoring  to  liberty   more  than  three  hundred 
American  prisoners  detained  there  in    the   coal  mines. 
Three  vessels  were  destined  for  this  service,  the  Alfred, 
the  Harnpden,  and  the  Providence  ;  but  the  Hampderi 
having  received  considerable  damage  in  consequence  of 
running  on  a  nx-k,  could  not  accompany  me.     I  howev 
er,  embarked  on  board  the  Alfred,  and  taking  the  Provi 
dence  b)  way  of  consort,  1  set  sail,   and  on  the  2d  of 


THE  AMERICAN  NAVY.  37 

November,  1776,  made  prize  of  a  vessel  from  Liver 
pool,  and  soon  after  the  Mellish,  a  large  armed  vessel, 
having  two  British  naval  officers  on  board,  and  a  captain 
belonging  to  the  land  service,  with  a  company  of  sol 
diers.  This  ship  was  carrying  ten  thousand  complete 
sets  of  uniform  to  Canada,  for  the  army  posted  there 
under  the  orders  of  Generals  Carleton  and  Burgoyne. 

The  Providence  having  now  left  the  Alfred  during  the 
night,  without  the  least  pretext  whatever,  I  remained 
alone,  and  that  too  during  the  stormy  season,  on  the  ene 
my  "s  coast ;  but  notwithstanding  this,  and  that  I  was  al 
so  greatly  embarrassed  with  my  prisoners,  1  resolved  not 
to  renounce  my  project.  1  accordingly  effected  a  de 
scent,  destroyed  a  transport  of  great  value,  and  also 
burned  the  magazines  and  buildings  destined  for  the 
whale  and  cod  fishery. 

In  addition  to  this,  I  took  three  transports  and  a  ves 
sel  laden  with  ling  and  furs,  near  lie  Royale  ;  these  pri 
zes  were  escorted  by  the  Flora  frigate,  which  happened 
to  be  at  a  small  distance,  but  which  was  concealed  from 
us  by  a  fog.  Having  taken  a  privateer  from  Liverpool, 
mounting  sixteen  guns,  in  the  course  of  next  day  I  instant 
ly  returned  with  my  prizes,  towards  the  United  States  ; 
but  when  in  the  latitude  of  Boston,  fell  in  with  the  Mil- 
ford  frigate,  which  I  unwillingly  engaged.  Towards 
night,  however,  I  placed  the  Alfred  between  the  enemy 
and  my  prizes,  and  having  given  the  necessary  instruc 
tions  to  the  latter,  to  make  for  the  nearest  port,  I  chang 
ed  my  course,  set  up  lights,  and  by  this  stratagem  sav 
ed  the  vessels  1  had  captured,  as  the  frigate  continued  in 
chase  of  me.  Next  day  I  myself  was  fortunate  enough 
to  escape,  after  a  very  serious  action,  which  was  not 
terminated  until  dark,  and  even  then  in  consequence  of 
a  hard  gale  of  wind. 

Having  returned  to  Boston,  December  10,  1776,  the 

intelligence  of  the  uniforms  taken  on  board  the  Mellish, 

re-animated   the   courage  of  the  army    under  General 

Washington,  which  at  that  period  happened  to  be  almost 

4 


38  RISE  AND  PROGRESS  OF 

destitute  of  clothing.  Let  me  add  also,  that  this  unex 
pected  succor  contributed  not  a  little  to  the  success  of 
the  affair  at  Trenton  against  the  Hessians,  which  took 
place  immediately  after  my  arrival. 

I  now  paid  out  of  my  own  purse  the  wages  due  to  the 
crews  of  the  Alfred  and  the  Providence,  and  lent  the 
rest  of  my  money  to  the  congress.  That  assembly  trans 
mitted  me  orders  from  Philadelphia,  on  the  5th  of  Feb 
ruary,  to  undertake  a  secret  expedition  of  great  impor 
tance,  the  design  of  which  was,  to  lay  the  Island  of  St. 
Christopher,  and  the  north  side  of  Jamaica,  under  con 
tribution  ;  after  which  we  were  to  attack  Pensacola. 
This  project  was  first  conceived  by  me,  and  then  com 
municated  to  Mr.  Morris,  afterwards  minister  of  finance  ; 
but  such  was  the  jealousy  of  Hopkins,  the  commander  in 
chief,  that  it  was  never  carried  into  execution.  He  was, 
however,  soon  after  suspended,  and  then  dismissed  from 
the  service. 

The  season  being  now  too  far  advanced  for  the  execu 
tion  of  the  scheme  in  the  West  Indies,  myself  and  crew 
received  orders  to  remove  on  board  the  Amphytrite,  a 
French  vessel,  destined  to  sail  from  Portsmouth,  New 
Hampshire,  to  France,  whence  we  were  to  pass  into 
Holland,  and  take  possession  of  the  Indienne,  a  large 
frigate,  constructing  there  for  the  congress  ;  some  diffi 
culties  however  ensued,  and  I  was  ordered  to  prepare 
the  Ranger,  a  vessel  mounting  eighteen  guns. 

When  General  Burgoyne  and  his  army  were  obliged 
to  surrender  at  Saratoga,  it  was  I  who  was  the  first  oblig 
ed  to  carry  this  interesting  intelligence  to  Nantes,  whith 
er  I  arrived  on  the  2d  of  December,  1777.  In  the  course 
of  my  voyage,  I  took  two  prizes,  forming  a  part  of  a 
convoy  from  the  Mediterranean,  under  the  protection 
of  the  Invincible,  a  seventy -four  gun  ship,  under  the 
guns  of  which  one  of  them  was  taken. 

In  the  month  of  January,  1778,  I  repaired  to  Paris, 
to  make  the  necessary  arrangements  with  the  American 
ministers,  relative  to  the  equipment  of  the  Indienne;  but. 


THE  AMERICAN  NAVY.  39 

as  the  recent  intelligence  relative  to  the  capture  of  Bur- 
goyne  had  determined  the  court  of  France  to  recognise 
the  independence  of  America  by  means  of  a  treaty  of 
alliance,  and  as  the  English  ambassador  at  the  Hague,  iu 
consequence  of  obtaining  possession  of  the  papers  of  an 
American  agent,  found  that  the  Indienne  was  the  proper 
ty  of  congress,  I  acquiesced  in  the  opinion  of  the  Amer- 
can  ministers  ;  and  it  was  determined  to  cede  the  prop 
erty  to  his  most  Christian  majesty,  this  being  the  most 
likely  method  of  preserving  the  property. 

I  then  returned  on  board  the  Ranger,  arid  as  1  had  re 
ceived  information  from  America,  relative  to  the  force 
and  stations  of  the  English  fleet  in  that  quarter,  I  imme 
diately  transmitted  a  letter  to  Mr.  Deane,  one  of  the 
American  ministers  at  Paris,  communicating  a  plan  of  an 
expedition  with  a  squadron  of  ten  sail  of  the  line,  a  few  frig 
ates,  and  a.  small  body  of  land  forces,  with  a  view  of  com 
pletely  destroying  the  enemy's  naval  power  acting  against 
the  U.  States.  This  scheme  was  not  adopted  until  it  was 
too  late,  and  then  it  of  course  became^  impracticable. 

In  the  mean  time  I  took  several  American  vessels  un 
der  my  convoy,  from  Nantes,  to  the  bay  of  Quiberon, 
where  M.  La  Motte  Piquet  was  lying  at  anchor,  with 
six  sail  of  the  line,  a  few  frigates,  and  several  merchant 
men  which  he  was  to  take  under  his  protection  to  the  west 
ward  of  CapeFinisterre.  M.  de  La  Fayette  was  on  board 
this  fleet,  whichwas  provided  with  clothing,  ammunition, 
and  military  stores  for  America. 

I  reached  the  bay,  February  13,  1778,  and  sent  to  de 
mand  of  the  admiral,  if  he  would  return  my  salute  ;  and 
this  compliment  was  immediately  agreed  to  by  that  brave 
officer,  although  neither  he  nor  I  knew  at  that  period, 
that  a  treaty  of  alliance  had  been  signed  between  France 
and  America  seven  days  before.  This  was  the  first  sa 
lute  recei1  ed  by  the  American  flag  from  any  power,  and 
occasioned  much  dispute  in  the  English  parliament. 

I  now  set  sail  from  the  bay  of  Quiberon  to  Brest,  but 
did  not  enter  the  road  ;  on  the  contrary,  I  anchored  at 


40  RISE  AND  PROGRESS  Ot 

Cammeret,  where  I  was  detained  by  contrary  winds  un 
til  the  French  ambassador  at  the  court  of  St.  James',  had 
announced  the  treaty  lately  concluded  between  his  most 
Christian  majesty  and  the  United  States. 

On  this,  I  immediately  sailed  into  Brest  water,  and  sal 
uted  the  Count  D'Orvilliers,  who  returned  the  salute, 
and  received  me  with  all  the  honors  due  to  an  admiral 
on  board  his  flag-ship  La  Bretange. 

In  the  month  of  February,  1776,  the  parliament  of 
England  had  authorised  George  III.  to  treat  all  the 
Americans  taken  at  sea,  with  arms  in  their  hands,  as 
traitors,  pirates,  and  felons  :  this,  more  than  any  other 
circumstance,  rendered  me  the  declared  enemy  of  Great 
Britain.  From  the  very  commencement  of  the  war  an 
exchange  of  prisoners  had  taken  place  between  Gen. 
Washington  and  the  commanders  of  the  enemy's  army  ; 
notwithstanding  the  haughty  conduct  of  Great  Britain, 
she  was  obliged  to  submit  to  this  arrangement,  and  con 
sider  the  American  soldiers  as  prisoners  of  war.  It  was, 
however,  an  atrocious  crime  to  act  against  her  by  sea; 
and  England,  on  this  occasion,  perpetrated  anew,  all 
the  cruelties  on  America  which  she  had  lavished  on  Scot 
land  in  1745.  A  ferocious  and  vindictive  people  would 
have  rejoiced  to  have  seen  the  Americansailorscutdown 
'from  the  gibbet  while^et  alive,  their  breasts  opened  with 
a' knife,  and  their  yet  palpitating  hearts  thrown  into  the 
flames  !  If  they  did  not  dare  to  attempt  this,  they  how 
ever,  shut  up  a  number  of  citizens  of  the  United  States 
in  the  English  prisons  during  five  whole  years,  where 
they  suffered  all  the  horrors  proceeding  from  cold,  hun 
ger,  and  every  sort  of  mal-treatment.  Some  of  these 
unfortunates  were  soJd  on  the  cost  of  Africa,  'while  oth 
ers  were  transported  to  the  West  Indies.  The  firmness 
with  which  these  martyrs  of  liberty  supported  their 
hard  lot,  is  wholly  unexampled  ;  for  they  preferred  eve 
ry  kind  of  persecution  to  serving  on  board  the  English 
navy. 

Indignant  r\t  the  barbarous  treatment  experienced  bv 


THE  AMERICAN  NAVY.  41 

the  Americans,  I  determined  to  make  a  grand  effort  in  their 
behalf,  with  a  view  of  stopping  the  barbarous  proceedings 
of  the  English  in  Europe,  as  well  as  on  the  western  conti 
nent  ;  in  the  latter  of  which  they  set  fire  to  their  houses,  de 
stroyed  their  property,  and  burned  and  destroyed  whole 
towns.  I  accordingly  determined,  by  way  of  retaliation, 
to  effect  a  descent  upon  some  part  of  England,  with  a 
view  of  destroying  the  shipping,  ft  was  also  my  inten* 
tion  to  make  some  person  of  distinction  prisoner,  whom 
I  resolved  to  detain  as  a  hostage  for  the  security  of,  and 
in  order  to  exchange  with,  the  American  prisoners  m 
Englandf. 

Admiral  D'Orvilliers,  to  whom  I  communicated  this 
project,  offered  to  procure  for  me  a  captain's  commis 
sion  in  the  French  marine,  that,  in  case  I  met  with  any 
disaster,  I  might  claim  the  protection  of  his  most  Chris 
tian  majesty  ;  but  however  advantageous  this  was,  I  de 
termined  to  decline  the  acceptance  :  because,  in  the 
first  place,  I  was  not  authorised  by  congress  to  change 
my  flag  ;  and,  in  the  second,  such  a  conduct  might  have 
rendered  my  attachment  to  America  suspected. 

I  accordingly  sailed  from  Brest,  and  advanced  towards 
Ireland,  neglecting  the  capture  of  a  number  of  vessels 
within  my  reach,  as  I  did  not  wish  to  diminish  the  strength 
of  my  crew.  Near  to  the  entrance  into  Carrickfergus,  I, 
however,  seized  on  a  fishing  boat,  manned  with  six  per 
sons,  who  proved  to  be  pilots.  The  Drake,  a  twenty- 
gun  ship,  happened  to  be  then  in  the  road,  and  even 
within  sight ;  I  imagined  it  possible  to  obtain  posses 
sion  of  her  by  surprise  during  the  night.  With  this  view,. 
I  immediately  gave  orders  for  making  the  necessary 
preparations  ;  but  the  mate,  who  had  drank  too  much 
brandy,  did  not  let  go  the  anchor  according  to  orders, 
which  prevented  the  Ranger  from  running  foul  of  the 
Drake,  according  to  my  intentions.  As  I  had  reason  to 
believe,  that  my  appearance  had  not  hitherto  given  any 
alarm,  I  deemed  it  prudent  to  cut  my  cable,  and  return 
into  St.  George's  channel.  I  remained  there,  buffeted 


42  RISE  AND  PROGRESS  OF 

about  by  the  winds,  during  three  days,  until  the  weather 
having  become  more  favourable,  I  determined  a  second 
time  to  attempt  a  descent  ;  this  project,  however) great 
ly  alarmed  my  lieutenants  ;  they  were  poor,  they  said, 
and  their  object  was  gain,  not  honor  :  they  accordingly 
excited  disobedience  among  the  ship's  company,  by  per- 
uading  them  that  they  had  a  right  to  determine,  wheth 
er  the  measures  adopted  by  me  were  well  concerted  or 
not. 

I  happened  to  be  at  this  period  within  sight  of  White 
haven,  in  Cumberland,  at  the  mouth  of  the  Sol  way  Frith. 
This  is  a  considerable  harbor,  in  which  there  then  were 
about  400  sail,  some  of  them  vessels  of  250  tons  bur 
then  ;  and  I  had  determined  to  take  advantage  of  the 
ebb  tide,  when  the  shipping  wa  dry,  to  destroy  them. 
To  eflect  this,  it  was  necessary  to  land  about  midnight, 
with  a  party  of  determined  men,  and  seize  on  a  fort  and 
and  a  battery,  which  defended  the  port.  IVly  two  lieu 
tenants  being  averse  to  the  enterprise,  and  yet  being  un 
willing  to  discover  their  true  motives,  feigned  illness. 
On  this  I  determined  to  take  the  command  in  person, 
and  with  much  difficulty  prevailed  on  thirty  volunteers  to 
follow  me. 

With  this  handful  of  men,  and  two  small  boats,  I  quit 
ted  the  Ranger,  at  eleven  o'clock  at  night,  and  rowed  to 
wards  the  harbor  ;  but,  it  being  farther  off  than  we  ima 
gined,  and  the  tide  against  us,  day  broke  before  we  had 
effected  a  landing. 

I  now  sent  the  smallest  of  the  boats  towards  the 
northern  side  of  the  harbor  to  set  fire  to  the  vessels, 
while  I  myself  advanced  with  the  other  to  the  south,  tt> 
take  possession  of  the  fort  and  battery,  the  first  of  which 
was  taken  by  assault,  I  myself  being  t-he  first  to  enter  it 
through  one  of  the  embrasures.  We  then  nailed  up  the 
thirty-six  cannon  mounted  on  the  batteries,  and  advan 
ced  towards  the  south,  with  a  view  of  burning  all  the 
vessels,  when,  to  my  infinite  astonishment,  I  beheld  the 
other  boat  returning,  without  having  done  any  thing* 


THE  AMERICAN  NAVY,  43 

On  this,  I  deemed  it  best  to  unite  my  forces,  with  a 
view  of  effecting,  at  least,  some  part  of  our  enterprise. 
In  short  we  set  fire  to  some  of  the  vessels,  and  it  soon 
burned  with  great  fierceness,  and  began  to  communicate  ; 
but,  as  it  was  now  eight  o'clock  in  the  morning,  and  the 
inhabitants  began  to  approach  near  us  in  crowds,  I  could 
no  longer  defer  my  retreat,  which  was  made  in  good  or 
der.  On  my  return  on  board  the  Ranger,  the  wind  be 
ing  favorable,  I  set  sail  for  the  coast  of  Scotland.  It  was 
my  intention  to  take  the  Earl  of  Selkirk  prisoner,  and 
detain  his  lordship  as  a  hostage,  in  conformity  to  the 
project  already  mentioned.  It  was  with  this  view  about 
noon  of  the  same  day  I  landed  on  that  nobleman^s  estate, 
with  two  officers  and  a  few  men.  In  the  course  of  my 
progress,  I  fell  in  with  some  of  the  inhabitants,  who,  ta 
king  me  for  an  Englishman,  observed  that  Lord  Selkirk 
was  then  in  London,  but  that  her  ladyship  and  several 
ladies  were  at  the  castle. 

On  this,  I  determined  to  return  :  but  such  moderate 
conduct  was  not  conformable  to  the  wishes  of  my  peo 
ple,  who  were  disposed  to  pillage,  burn  and  destroy  ev 
ery  thing,  in  imitation  of  the  conduct  of  the  English  to 
wards  the  Americans.  Although  I  was  not  disposed  to 
copy  such  horrid  proceedings,  more  especially  when  a 
lady  was  in  question,  it  was  yet  necessary  to  recur  to 
such  means  as  should  satisfy  their  cupidity,  and,  at  the 
same  time,  provide  for  Lady  Selkirk's  safety.  It  imme 
diately  appeared  to  me,  to  be  the  most  proper  mode  to 
give  orders  to  the  two  officers  to  repair  to  the  castle  with 
the  men,  who  were  to  remain  on  the  outside  under  arms, 
while  they  themselves  entered  alone.  They  were  then 
instructed  to  enter,  and  demand  the  family  plate,  in  a 
polite  manner,  accepting  whatever  was  oilered  them, 
and  then  to  return,  without  making  any  further  inqui 
ries,  or  attempting  to  search  for  more. 

I  was  punctually  obeyed  ;  the  plate  was  delivered  : 
Lady  Selkirk  herself  observed  to  the  officers,  that  she 
was  exceedingly  sensible  of  my  moderation  ;  she  even 


44  RISE  AND  PROGRESS  OF 

intimated  a  wish  to  repair  to  the  shore,  although  a  mile 
distant  from  her  residence,  in  order  to  invite  me  to 
dinner  ;  but  the  officers  would  not  allow  her  ladyship  to 
take  so  much  trouble. 

Next  day,  April  4,  1778,  I  prepared  to  return  to 
Carrickfergus,  to  attack  the  Drake  in  open  day  ;  but  the 
lieutenants  were  averse  to  the  project,  and  the  crew  of 
the  Ranger  became  so  mutinous,  that  I  ran  no  small 
risk  of  being  either  killed  or  thrown  into  the  sea ;  and 
but  two  days  before,  I  was  on  the  point  of  being  aban 
doned,  and  left  ashore  at  Whitehaven. 

In  the  mean  time,  the  captain  of  the  Drake  sloop  of 
war,  having  been  informed  of  our  descent  at  Whitehaven, 
prepared  to  attack  us  ;  and,  while  every  thing  was  get 
ting  ready,  he  despatched  an  officer  on  board  of  his  boat, 
with  a  spy-glass,  in  order  to  reconnoitre  the  Ranger. 
On  this,  I  immediately  masked  my  guns,  kept  my  men 
out  of  sight,  and  disguised  the  vessel  in  such  a  manner  as 
to  resemble  a  merchantman  ;  in  consequence  of  this  the 
crew  of  the  boat  were  deceived  and  taken.  This  trifling 
success  produced  the  effect  of  enchantment  on  my  sai 
lors,  who  were  no  longer  averse  from  giving  her  battle. 

The  Drake,  having  fired  some  cannon  to  recall  her 
boat,  hoisted  her  anchor,  and  carne  out,  attended  by  a 
number  of  yachts  and  pleasure-boats,  with  ladies  and 
gentlemen  on  board  :  but  when  the  engagement  became 
serious,  they  thought  proper  to  withdraw  to  a  respectful 
distance. 

No  sooner  did  the  enemy  make  his  appearance,  than 
I  lay  to,  determined  not  to  engage  until  she  came  within 
pistol  shot.  The  engagement  was  accordingly  sustained 
with  great  vivacity  on  both  sides  during  an  hour  and  five 
minutes,  when,  the  captain  and  lieutenant  being  both 
mortally  wounded,  the  English  flag  was  lowered,  and  J 
took  possession  of  her.  I  regretted  greatly  the  death  of 
these  brave  men,  and  committed  them  to  the  ocean  with 
all  the  honors  due  to  their  valor.  I,  at  the  same  time, 
dismissed  the  six  fishermen,  whom  I  have  before  men- 


THE  AMERICAN  NAVY.  46 

tioned,  whose  loss  I  repaired,  and  whose  services  I   re 
compensed  out  of  my  own  purse. 

The  !  )rake  was  greatly  damaged  in  her  masts  and 
tackling,  and  lost  forty  men  either  killed  or  wounded  du 
ring  the  action.  I  had  also  taken  several  other  prizes  ; 
but,  as  my  complement  of  men  had  only  amounted  to  one 
hundred  and  twenty-three,  I  retained  no  more  than  two 
of  them,  which  arrived  in  safety  at  Brest,  where  I  myself 
anchored  with  the  Ranger  and  Drake,  on  the  7th  of  May, 
after  an  absence  of  twenty-eight  days,  during  which  I  had 
taken  upward  of  two  hundred  prisoners.  This  expedi 
tion  was  of  great  disservice  to  Great  Britain,  as  she  was 
not  only  obliged  to  fortify  her  ports,  but  also  to  permit 
the  arming  of  the  Irish  volunteers,  as  Lord  Mountmor- 
ris  demonstrated  in  a  speech  in  parliament. 

At  the  time  1  had  been  obliged  to  permit  my  people  to 
take  Lady  Selkirk's  piate,  1  determined  to  redeem  it 
out  of  my  own  funds  the  moment  it  should  be  sold,  and 
restore  it  to  the  family.  Accordingly  on  my  arrival  at 
Brest,  I  instantly  despatched  a  most  pathetic  letter  to 
her  ladyship,  in  which  I  detailed  the  motives  of  my  ex 
pedition,  and  the  cruel  necessity  I  was  under,  in  conse 
quence  of  the  conduct  of  the  English  in  America,  to  in 
flict  the  punishment  of  retaliation.  This  was  sent  open 
to  the  post-master-general,  that  it  mi^ht  be  shewn  to  the 
king  of  England  and  his  ministers  ;  and  the  court  of  St. 
James  was  at  length  obliged  to  renounce  the  sanguinary 
act  of  its  parliament,  and  exchange  those  very  Ameri 
cans  whom  they  called  traitors,  pirates  and  felons,  against 
the  prisoners  of  war,  whom  1  had  taken  and  carried  to 
France. 

"RANGER,  BREST,  Qth  May,  1778. 

44  Madam — It  cannot  be  too  much  lamented,  that,  in 
the  profession  of  arms,  the  officer  of  finer  feeling,  and 
of  real  sensibility,  should  be  under  the  necessity  of 
winking  at  any  action  of  persons  under  his  command, 
which  his  heart  cannot  approve  ;  but  the  reflection  is 
doubly  severe,  when  he  finds  himself  obliged,  in  appear 
ance,  to  countenance  such  action  by  authority. 


46  RISE  AND  PROGRESS  OF 

"  This  hard  case  was  mine,  when,  on  the  23d  of 
April  last,  I  landed  on  St.  Mary's  Isle.  Knowing  Lord 
Selkirk's  interest  with  his  king,  I  wished  to  make  him 
the  happy  instrument  of  alleviating  the  horrors  of  hope 
less  captivity,  when  the  brave  are  overpowered  and  made 
prisoners  of  war.  It  was  perhaps  fortunate  for  you 
madam,  that  he  was  from  home,  for  it  was  my  intention 
to  have  taken  him  on  board  the  Ranger,  and  to  have  de 
tained  him,  until,  through  his  means,  a  general  and  fair 
exchange  of  prisoners,  as  well  in  Europe  as  in  America, 
had  been  effected. 

"When  I  was  informed,  by  some  men  whom  I  met  at 
landing,  that  his  lordship  was  absent,  I  walked  back  to 
my  boat,  determined  to  leave  the  island.  By  the  way, 
however,  some  officers,  who  were  with  me,  could  not 
forbear  expressing  their  discontent,  observing,  that  in 
America  no  delicacy  was  shown  by  the  English,  who  took 
away  all  sorts  of  moveable  property,  setting  fire  not  only 
to  towns,  and  to  the  houses  of  the  rich,  without  distinc 
tion,  but  not  even  sparing  the  wretched  hamlets  and 
n.:lch-cows  of  the  poor  and  helpless,  at  the  approach  of 
an  inclement  winter.  That  party  had  been  with  rne  as 
volunteers  the  same  morning  at  Whitehaven  ;  some 
complaisance,  therefore,  was  their  due.  I  had  but  a 
moment  to  think  how  I  might  gratify  them,  and,  at  the 
same  time,  do  your  ladyship  the  least  injury.  I  charged 
the  two  officers  to  permit  none  of  the  seamen  to  enter 
the  house,  or  to  hurt  any  thing  about  it ;  to  treat 
you,  madam,  with  the  utmost  respect ;  to  accept  of  the 
plate  which  was  offered  ;  and  to  come  away  without  ma 
king  a  search  or  demanding  any  thing  else.  I  am  indu 
ced  to  believe  that  I  was  punctually  obeyed,  since  I  am 
informed  that  the  plate  which  they  brought  away  is  far 
short  of  the  quantity  which  is  expressed  in  the  inventory 
which  accompanied  it.  I  have  gratified  my  men,  and 
when  the  plate  is  sold  1  shall  become  the  purchaser,  and 
will  gratify  my  own.  ft c •  lings  ^  by  restoring  it  to  you  by 
such  conveyance  as  you  shall  please  to  direct. 


THE  AMERICAN  NAVY.  47 

"  Had  the  earl  been  on  board  the  following  evening, 
he  would  have  seen  the  awful  pomp  and  dreadful  car 
nage  of  a  sea  engagement  ;  both  affording  ample  subject 
for  the  pencil,  as  well  as  melancholy  reflection  for  the 
contemplative  mind.  Humanity  starts  back  at  such 
scenes  of  horror,  and  cannot  but  execrate  the  vile  pro 
moters  of  this  detested  war  : — 

For  they,  'twas  they,  unsheathed  the  ruthless  blade, 
And  Heaven  shall  ask  the  havock  it  has  made. 

"  The  British  ship  of  war  Drake,  mounting  twenty 
guns,  with  more  than  her  full  complement  of  officers  and 
men.  besides  a  number  of  volunteers,  came  out  from 
Carrickfergus,  in  order  to  attack  and  take  the  continen 
tal  ship  of  war  Ranger,  of  eighteen  guns,  and  short  of  her 
complement  of  officers  and  men  ;  the  ships  met,  and  the 
advantage  was  disputed  with  great  fortitude  on  each  side 
for  an  hour  and  five  minutes,  when  the  gallant  coman- 
derof  the  Drake  fell,  and  victory  declared  in  favor  of 
the  Ranger.  His  amiable  lieutenant  lay  mortally  woun 
ded,  besides  near  forty  of  the  inferior  officers  and  crew 
killed  and  wounded.  A  melancholy  demonstration  of 
the  uncertainty  of  human  prospects.  I  buried  them  in 
a  spacious  grave  with  the  honors  due  to  the  memory  of 
the  brave. 

"  Though  I  have  drawn  my  sword  in  the  present  gen 
erous  struggle  for  the  rights  of  man,  yet  I  am  in  arms, 
merely  as  an  American,  nor  am  I  in  pursuit  of  riches. 
My  fortune  is  liberal  enough,  having  no  wife  nor  family, 
and  having  lived  long  enough  to  know  that  riches  cannot 
ensure  happiness.  1  profess  myself  a  citizen  of  the 
world,  totally  unfettered  by  the  little  mean  distinctions 
of  climate  or  of  country,  which  diminish  the  benevolence 
of  the  heart,  and  set  bounds  to  philanthrophy.  Before 
this  war  began,  I  had,  at  an  early  time  of  life,  withdrawn 
from  the  sea  service,  in  favor  of  "calm  contemplation 
and  poetic  ease."  I  have  sacrificed,  not  only  my  favor- 


48  RISE  AND  PROGRESS  OF 

ite  scheme  of  life,  but  the  softer  affections  of  the  heart, 
and  my  prospects  of  domestic  happiness,  and  I  am 
ready  to  sacrifice  my  life,  also,  with  cheerfulness,  if  that 
forfeiture  would  restore  peace  and  good  will  amongst 
mankind. 

"  As  the  feelings  of  your  gentle  bosom  cannot,  in  that 
respect,  but  be  congenial  with  mine,  let  me  entreat  you, 
madam,  to  use  your  soft  persuasive  arts  with  your  hus 
band,  to  endeavor  to  stop  this  cruel  and  destructive  war, 
in  which,  Britain  never  can  succeed.  Heaven  can  nev 
er  countenance  the  barbarous  and  unmanly  practices  of 
the  Britons  in  America,  which  savages  would  blush  at, 
and  which  if  not  discontinued,  will  soon  be  retaliated  in 
Britain  by  a  justly  enraged  people.  Should  you  fail  in 
this,  (for  I  am  persuaded  you  will  attempt  it — and  who 
can  resist  the  power  of  such  an  advocate  ?)  your  endeav 
ors  to  effect  a  general  exchange  of  prisoners  will  be  an 
act  of  humanity,  which  will  afford  you  golden  feelings  on 
a  death  bed: 

1  hope  this  cruel  contest  will  soon  be  closed  ;  but 
should  it  continue,  I  wage  no  war  with  the  fair  !  I  ac 
knowledge  their  power,  and  bend  before  it  with  profound 
submission)!  Let  not  therefore,  the  amiable  Countess  of 
Selkirk  regard  me  as  an  enemy  ;  I  am  ambitious  of  her 
esteem  and  friendship,  and  would  do  any  thing,  consistent 
with  my  duty,  to  merit  it. 

"  The  honor  of  a  line  from  your  hand,  in  answer  to 
this,  will  lay  me  under  a  very  singular  obligation  ;  and  if 
I  can  render  you  any  acceptable  service,  in  France  or 
elsewhere,  1  hope  you  see  intc  my  character  so  far  as  to 
command  me  without  the  least  grain  of  service.  I  wish  to 
know  exactly,  the  behavior  of  my  people,  as  I  am  deter 
mined  to  punish  them  if  they  have  exceeded  their  liberty. 

"  I  have  the  honor  to  be,  with  much  esteem  and  with 
profound  respect,  madam,  your  most  obedient  and  most 
humble  servant, 

"PAUL  JONES, 

"  To  the  Right  Hon.  the  Countess  of  Selkirk,) 
St.  Mary's  Isle,  Scotland."  J 


THE  AMERICAN  NAVY.  49 

During  the  course  of  the  war,  I  found  it  impossible  to 
restore  the  plate  belonging  to  the  Selkirk  family  ;  1  how 
ever,  purchased  it  at  a  great  price,  and  at  length  found 
means  to  send  it  by  land  from  I'Orient  to  Calais,  bj 
means  of  M.  de  Calonne,  who  transmitted  rne  a  very 
flattering  letter  on  the  occasion.  In  short  I  at  length  re 
ceived  a  very  flattering  letter  from  the  Earl  of  Selkirk, 
acknowledging  the  receipt  of  it. 

1  had  no  sooner  arrived  at  Brest,  than  Admiral  the 
Count  D'Orvilliers  transmitted  an  account  of  my  expe* 
dition  to  the  minister  of  the  marine,  in  consequence  of 
which  it  was  intimated  to  Dr.  Franklin,  that  his  majesty 
was  desirous  that  I  should  repair  to  Versailles,  as  he  was 
resolved  to  employ  me  on  a  secret  expedition,  for  which 
purpose  he  would  give  me  the  Indimne,  with  some  other 
frigates,  with  troops,  &c.  for  the  purpose  of  effecting  a 
descent.  I  was  instantly  informed  of  this  by  (he  ambas 
sador,  who  observed  to  rne,  at  the  same  time,  that  this 
mu-4  be  considered  as  a  profound  secret,  it  being  of  so 
important  a  nature,  that  it  had  been  deemed  proper  to 
withhold  a  communication  of  it  even  to  his  colleagues, 

M.  de  Sartine  received  me  with  the  most  distinguish 
ed  politeness,  making  me,  at  the  same,  time,  the  most 
flattering  promises  ;  and  the  Prince  dc  Nassau  was  sent 
into  Holland  to  give  instructions  for  the  necessary  ar 
rangements  for  arming  an<}  equipping  the  frigate  inten 
ded  for  me.  Big|  in  a  short  time  after  this,  hostilities 
took  place  between  France  and  England  in  consequence 
of  the  action  with  La  Belle  Pou/e.  This  not  a  little  em 
barrassed  the  Minister  of  the  Marine,  arid  the  difficulty 
was  not  diminished  by  the  intelligence  brought  by  the 
prince,  who  asserted  that  the  Dutch  would  not  permit 
the  Indienne  to  be  equipped. 

As  M.  de  Sartine  had  written  to  the  three  American 
ministers,  and  obtained  their  consent  for  my  remaining 
in  Europe.  I  offered  to  serve  on  board  of  the  grand 
fleet  ;  I  also  communicated  several  plans  for  crippling 
the  power  of  England,  such  as  that  of  destroying  her 
5 


SO  RISE  AND  PROGRESS  OF 

trade  and  settlements  on  the  coast  of  Africa,  and  in  Hud* 
son's  Bay  ;  of  annihilating  their  fisheries  in  Newfound 
land  ;  intercepting  their  East  India  and  West  India,  and 
above  all,  the  Baltic  fleet,  which  was  escorted  by  a  sin 
gle  frigate,  as  I  learned  by  certain  information  from  Eng 
land.  The  minister  adopted  the  last  of  these  plans  ; 
and  I  accordingly  repaired  to  Brest,  to  take  the  com 
mand  of  one  of  the  frigates  of  that  port,  with  two  others, 
and  a  cutter,  &c.  then  at  St.  Maloes  ;  but  I  found,  on 
my  arrival,  that  the  admiral  had  appointed  a  French  of 
ficer  to  the  vessel  in  question,  and  as  there  was  not  a 
single  moment  to  be  lost,  the  senior  officer  of  the  frig 
ates  at  St.  Maloes  was  despatched  against  the  Baltic 
fleet,  which  he  missed,  by  not  steering  sufficiently  near 
to  the  coast  of  England  to  intercept  it. 

Being  greatly  disgusted  with  a  series  of  delays,  that 
ensued  during  nine  months,  I  at  length  repaired  to  Ver 
sailles,  with  an  intention  of  returning  to  America,  if  I 
should  not  immediately  obtain  a  command  ;  for  I  recol 
lected  the  saying  of  Old  Richard,  "  If  you  wish  that 
your  affairs  should  be  prosperous,  superintend  them  in 
person,"  &c.  This  induced  me  to  promise,  that  if  the 
minister  should  at  length  comply  with  my  request,  I 
should  call  my  own  ship  "  Old  Richard.'1 

Accordingly,  on  obtaining  Le  Duras,  until  a  better 

vessel  could  be  procured,  I  called  her .  She  was 

a  very  small  and  a  very  old  and  infirm  vessel,  that  had 
made  four  voyages  to  the  East  IndieiP  As  proper  guns 

could  not  be  procured  at  L'Orient,  where  the • 

lay,  I  repaired,  first  to  Bordeaux,  and  then  to  Angou- 
leme,  where  I  made  a  contract  for  such  as  I  wanted.  On 
my  return,  I  found  that  the  Marquis  de  la  Fayette.  who 
had  returned  from  America,  was  desirous  to  join  me  in 
the  expedition,  it  being  intended  that  he  should  com 
mand  a  body  of  land  forces,  he  having  obtained  the 
king's  command  for  that  purpose. 

While  the  necessary  arrangements  were  making  at 
court,  a  naval  commissary  purchased  at  Nantes  a  mer- 


THE  AMERICAN  NAVY.  5! 

ehantman,  called  La  Pallas,  of  thirty-two  eight  pounders, 
and  a  brig,  named  La  Vengeance,  of  twelve  three  poun 
ders  ;  but  neither  of  them  was  calculated  for  war  :  to 
these  was  added  Le  Cerf,  a  very  fine  cutter  belonging  to 
the  royal  navy,  carrying  eighteen  nine  pounders  ;  with 
the  Alliance,  a  new  frigate,  belonging  to  the  United 
States  :  but  as  the  guns  had  not  as  yet  arrived  from  An- 
goulerne,  The  Good  Man  Richard  was  armed  from  an  old 
battery  of  twelve  pounders;  and  as  the  expedition  was  in 
tended  against  the  enemy's  ports,  I  mounted  six  old 
eighteen  pounders  in  the  gun  room,  so  that  she  might,  in 
some  measure,  be  called  a  forty  gun  ship.  As  it  was 
-found  impossible  to  procure  a  sufficient  number  of  Amer 
ican  sailors,  I  determined  to  supply  the  deficiency  by 
enrolling  English  ones,  who  happened  to  be  prisoners  of 
war  in  France  ;  and  in  addition  to  these,  a  certain  num 
ber  of  peasants  was  levied,  so  that  we  may  be  said  to 
have  had  as  bad  a  crew  as  was  ever  shipped  on  board 
any  vessel.  I  was  given  to  understand,  however, 
that  the  chosen  body  of  troops,  under  the  command  of 
the  Marquis  de  la  Fayette,  would  serve  as  a  guarantee 
for  their  good  conduct  ;  but  no  sooner  was  the  little 
squadron  ready,  than  I  received  a  letter  from  the  Mar 
quis,  intimating  that  the  object  of  the  expedition  having 
been  divulged  at  Paris,  the  king  had  issued  orders  to 
prevent  the  embarkation  of  the  troops,  in  consequence 
of  which  he  had  jAed  his  regiment. 

Thus  the  project,  which  was  no  less  than  that  of  put 
ting  Liverpool,  the  second  town  in  England,  under  con 
tribution,  failed,  in  consequence  of  having  been  indis 
creetly  communicated  to*******. 

I  ought  also  to  remark,  that,  according  to  the  first 
arrangement,  my  little  squadron  was  to  have  been  joined 
by  two  fireships,  and  five  hundred  men  of  Walsh's  Irish 
regiment  but  the  minister  did  not  keep  his  word,  for  he 
neither  procured  for  me  the  fire-ships,  nor  the  soldiers  ; 
go  that  it  became  impossible  for  me  to  fulfil  the  plan  I 


52  RISE  AND  PROGRESS  OF 

had  concerted,  although  it  was  still  more  important  than 
that  of  seizing  on  Liverpool. 

I  now  received  orders  to  escort  a  fleet  of  transports 
and  merchantmen  from  L'Orient,  destined  for  different 
ports  between  that  and  Bordeaux  ;  and  after  that  I  was 
to  chase  away  (he  English  cruisers  from  the  Bay  of  Bis 
cay,  and  then  to  return  for  further  orders. 

After  executing  this  commission,  on  my  representing 
how  eces^ary  it  was  to  make  a  diversion  in  favor  of  the 
count  D'Orvilliers,  then  cruising  in  the  Channel,  with 
sixty-six  ships  of  the  line,  I  received  a  carte,  blanche  du 
ring  six  weeks,  without  any  other  restriction  than  that 
of  repairing  to  the  Texel,  hy  the  first  of  October.  By 
this  time,  1  received  intimation  from  England,  that  eight 
East  India  men  were  soon  expected  on  the  coast  of  Ire 
land,  near  to  Limerick.  This  was  an  object  of  great  at 
tention  :  and  as  there  were  two  privateers  at  Port 
L'Orient  ready  for  sea,  Lc  Monsieur,  of  forty  guns,  and 
Le  Granville,  of  fourteen,  the  captains  of  which  offered 
to  place  themselves  under  my  orders,  I  accepted  the 
proposition.  But  the  French  commissary  who  super 
intended  the  naval  department,  acted  with  great  impro 
priety  on  this,  as  well  as  on  many  former  occasions, 

The  little  squadron  at  length  set  sail  from  the  road  of 
Groays,  on  the  fourteenth  of  August,  1779  ;  but  we  had 
no  sooner  proceeded  to  the  north  of  the  mouth  of  the 
Channel,  than  Le  Monsieur  and  J£  Granville  ahan- 
doned  me  during  'the  night,  and  Lc  Cnf  soon  after 
imitated  their  conduct.  1  was  extremely  anxious  to 
cruise  for  a  fortnight  in  the  latitude  of  Limerick  :  but 
the  captain  of  the  Alliance,  after  objecting  to  this,  also 
left  me  during  the  night ;  and  as  1  had  now  with  me  only 
the  Pallas  and  the  Vengeance,  I  was  obliged  to  re 
nounce  my  original  intentions. 

I  took  two  prizes  on  the  coast  of  Ireland  ;  and,  within 
sight  of  Scotland,  came  up  and  seized  two  privateers,  of 
twenty-two  guns  each,  which,  with  a  brigantine,  I  sent 
to  Bergen, in  Norway,  according  to  the  orders  I  had  re- 


THE  AMERICAN  NAVY.  53 

ceived  from  Dr.  Franklin  :  these  prizes,  however,  were 
restored  to  the  English  by  the  king  of  Denmark. 

When  I  entered  the  North  Sea,  I  captured  several 
vessels,  and  learned  by  my  prisoners,  as  well  as  by  the 
newspapers,  that  the  capital  of  Scotland  and  the  port  of 
Leith  were  left  totally  defenceless.  I  also  understood, 
at  the  same  time,  that  my  information  relative  to  the 
eight  Indiamen  was  correct  ;  they  having  entered  Lim 
erick  three  days  after  I  been  obliged  to  leave  the  neigh 
borhood  of  that  port. 

As  there  was  only  a  twenty  gun  ship  and  two  cutters 
in  Leith  Road,  I  deemed  it  practicable  to  lay  those  two 
places  under  contribution.  I  had  indeed  no  other  force 
to  execute  this  project,  than  the  Richard,  the  Pallas,  and 
the  Vengeance  ;  but  I  well  knew,  that  in  order  to  per 
form  a  brilliant  action,  it  is  not  always  necessary  to  pos 
sess  great  means.  I  therefore  held  out  the  prospect  of 
great  booty  to  the  captains  under  my  command  ;  and,  as 
to  myself,  I  was  satisfied  with  the  idea  of  making  a  di 
version  in  favor  of  the  Count  D'Orvilliers,  who  was  then 
in  the  Channel. 

I  now  distributed  red  clothes  to  my  men,  and  put  some 
of  them  on  board  the  prizes,  so  as  to  give  them  the  ap 
pearance  of  transports  full  of  troops.  All  the  necessary 
arrangements  were  also  taken  to  carry  the  enterprise 
into  execution  :  but,  about  a  quarter  of  an  hour  before 
the  descent  was  to  have  been  made,  a  sudden  tempest 
arose,  and  drove  me  out  of  the  Forth,  or  Edinburgh 
Frith,  and  so  violent  was  the  storm  that  one  of  my  pri 
zes  was  lost. 

This  did  not,  however,  deter  me,  notwithstanding  the 
aniallness  of  my  force.:?,  from  forming  different  enter- 
prizes  of  a  similar  nature  :  but  I  could  not  induce  the 
captains  of  the  Pallas  and  Vengeance  to  second  my 
>iews  ;  I  was  therefore  obliged  to  content  myself  by 
spreading  alarm  on  the  coast,  and  destroying  the  ship 
ping,  which  I  did  as  far  as  Hull. 


£4  RISE  AND  PROGRESS  OF 

On  the  morning  of  the  23d  September,  while  I  was 
cruising  in  the  latitude  of  Flamborough  Head,  which  I 
had  appointed  as  a  place  of  rendezvous  for  my  little 
squadron,  and  where  I  hoped  to  be  rejoined  by  the  Alli 
ance  and  Le  Cerf,  and  also  to  fail  in  with  the  Baltic 
fleet ;  this  convoy  accordingly  appeared,  at  a  time  when 
I  had  been  abandoned  by  several  of  my  consorts,  had 
lost  two  boat?,  with  their  crews,  who  had  run  away  on 
the  coast  of  Ireland,  and  when  a  third,  with  eighteen 
men  on  board,  was  in  chase  of  a  rnercbantman  to  the 
windward,  leaving  me  with  a  scanty  crew,  and  only  a 
single  lieutenant  and  some  inferior  officers,  on  board. 

It  was  about  two  o'clock  in  the  afternoon  that  the 
Baltic  fleet  appeared  in  view  ;  I  then  happened  to  have 
the  wind  of  it,  and  was  about  two  leagues  distant  from 
the  coast  of  England.  I  learned  from  my  prisoners,  that 
the  convoy  was  escorted  by  the  Serapis,  a  new  vessel, 
that  could  mount  fifty-six  guns,  but  then  carried  only 
forty-four,  oa  two  decks,  the  lower  battery  carrying 
eighteen  pounders,  and  the  Countess  of  Scarborough,  a 
new  twenty-two  gun  ship. 

We  were  no  sooner  descried  than  the  armed  vessels 
Stood  out  to  sea,  while  the  trade  took  refuge  under  the 
cannon  of  Scarborough  Castle. 

As  there  was  but  little  wind,  I  couM  not  come  up  with 
the  enemy  before  night.  The  moon  did  not  rise  until 
eight,  and  at  the  close  of  day  the  Serapis  and  Countess 
of  Scarborough  tacked  and  stood  for  the  fortress.  1  was 
lucky  enough  to  discover  this  manoeuvre  by  means  of 
my  night  glass,  without  which  I  should  have  remained 
in  ignorance  of  it.  On  this  I  immediately  altered  rny 
course  six  points,  with  a  view  of  cutting  off  the  enemy  ; 
which  was  no  sooner  perceived  by  the  Pallas,  than  it 
was  supposed  my  crew  had  mutinied,  which  induced  her 
captain  to  haul  his  wind,  and  to  stand  out  to  sea,  while 
the  Alliance  lay  to,  to  windward,  at  a  considerable  dis 
tance  ;and,  as  the  captain  of  this  vessel  had  never  paid 
any  attention  whatever  to  the  signals  of  the  Richard 


THE  AMERICAN  NAVY,  55 

since  her  leaving  France,  I  was  obliged  to  run  all  risks 
and  enter  into  action  with  the  Richard  only,  to  prevent 
the  enemy's  escape. 

I  accordingly  began  the  engagement  at  7  o'clock  at 
night,  within  pistol  shot  of  the  Serapis,  and  sustained  the 
brunt  of  it  for  ntarly  a  whole  hour  at  that  distance,  ex 
posed,  not  only  to  her  fire  but  also  to  that  of  the  Count 
ess  of  Scarborough,  which  raked  the  Richard,  by  means 
of  the  broadsides  she  fired  into  her  stern. 

It  ought  to  be  here  remarked,  that  the  Richard,  prop 
erly  speaking,  was  only  a  thirty-four  gun  frigate,  carry 
ing  only  twelve-pounders  ;  but  six  eightten-pounders 
had  been  placed  in  the  gun  room,  in  case  of  being  obli 
ged  to  recur  to  a  canonade  in  an  enemy's  harbor.  The 
sea  being  very  calm  during  the  engagement,  1  hoped  to 
be  able  to  derive  great  advantage  from  this  circum 
stance  ;  but  instead  of  this,  they  burst  at  the  com 
mencement  of  the  action,  and  the  officers  and  men,  post 
ed  at  this  service,  and  who  were  selected  as  the  best  of 
the  whole  crew,  were  either  killed,  wounded,  or  affright 
ed  to  such  a  degree,  that  none  of  them  were  of  any  ser 
vice  during  the  rest  of  the  engagement. 

In  this  unfortunate  extremity,  having  to  contend  with 
three  times  my  own  strength,  the  Richard  being  in  im 
minent  danger  of  going  to  the  bottom,  and  her  guns  be 
ing  no  longer  in  a  condition  to  return  the  ci  emy's  fire,  I 
had  recourse  to  a  dangerous  expedient,  to  grapple  with 
the  Serapis,  in  order,  on  the  one  hand,  ta  render  her  su 
periority  useless,  and,  on  the  other,  to  cover  ourselves 
from  the  fire  of  her  consort.  This  manoeuvre  succeeded 
most  admirably,  and  I  fastened  the  Serapis,  with  my  own 
hands,  to  the  Richard.  On  this,  the  captain  of  the 
Countess  of  Scarborough,  who  was  a  natural  son  of  the 
Duke  of  Northumberland,  conducted  himself  like  a  man 
of  sense,  and  from  that  moment  ceased  to  fire  upon  us, 
well  knowing  that  he  must  at  the  same  time  damage 
the  Serapis. 

That  vessel  being  to  windward  at  the  moment  we  had 


56  RISE  AND  PROGRESS   OF 

grappled,  instantly  dropped  her  anchor,  hoping  by  this 
to  disengage  herself  from  us  ;  but  this  did  not  answer 
her  expectations,  and  the  engagement  from  that  moment 
consisted  of  the  discharge  of  great  guns,  swivels,  mus- 
quetry,  and  grenades. — The  English  at  first,  testified  a 
desire  to  board  the  Richard,  but  they  no  sooner  saw  the 
danger  than  they  desisted.  The  enemy  however,  pos 
sessed  the  advantage  of  their  two  batteries,  besides  the 
guns  on  their  forecastle,  and  quarter-deck,  while  our 
cannon  was  either  burst  or  abandoned,  except  four  pie 
ces  on  the  forecastle,  which  were  also  relinquished  du 
ring  some  minutes.  Mr.  Mease,  the  officer  who  com 
manded  these  guns,  had  been  dangerously  wounded  on 
the  head,  and  having,  at  that  period,  no  greater  object 
to  occupy  my  attention,  I  myself  took  his  post.  A  few 
sailors  came  to  my  assistance  of  their  own  accord,  and 
served  the  two  guns  next  to  the  enemy  with  surprising 
courage  and  address.  A  short  time  after  this,  I  received 
sufficient  assistance  to  be  able  to  remove  one  of  the  fore 
castle  guns  from  the  opposite  side  ;  but  we  had  not 
strength  sufficient  to  remove  the  other,  so  that  we  could 
only  bring  three  guns  to  bear  upon  the  enemy  during  the 
remainder  of  the  action. 

The  moon,  which  as  I  have  already  observed,  rose  at 
eight,  beheld  the  two  vessels  surrounded  by  flame,  in 
consequence  of  the  explosion  of  the  cannon.  It  so  hap 
pened  at  this  period,  that  the  mainmast  of  the  Serapis. 
which  was  painted  yellow,  appeared  extremely  distinct, 
so  as  to  form  an  excellent  mark  ;  on  this,  I  pointed  one 
of  my  guns  at  it,  taking  care  to  ram  home  the  shot.  In 
the  mean  time,  the  two  other  pieces  were  admirably  ser 
ved  against  the- and  swept  its  forecastle,  by  mean* 

of  an  oblique  fire.  The  tops  also  seconded  us  bravely, 
by  means  of  musquetry  and  swivels,  and  also  threw  a 
multitude  of  grenades  so  as  greatly  to  annoy  the  enemy. 
By  these  means  they  were  driven  from  their  quarters, 
notwithstanding  their  superiority  in  point  of  men  and  ar 
tillery. 


THE  AMERICAN  NAVY.  57 

The  captain  of  the  Serapis,  after  consulting  with  his 
officers,  resolved  to  strike  ;  bat  an  unlucky  accident, 
which  occurred  on  board  the  Richard,  prevented  this  : 
a  bullet  having  destroyed  one  of  our  pumps,  the  carpen 
ter  was  seized  with  a  panic,  and  told  the  gunner,  and 
another  petty  officer,  that  we  were  sinking. 

Some  one  observed  at  the  same  time,  that  both  I  and 
the  lieutenant  were  killed  ;  in  consequence  of  which  the 
gunner,  considering  himself  as  commanding  officer,  ran 
instantly  to  the  quarter-deck,  in  order  to  haul  down  the 
American  colours,  which  he  would  have  actually  hauled 
down,  had  not  the  flag-staff  been  carried  away  at  the 
time  the  Richard  grappled  with  the  Serapis. 

The  captain  on  hearing  the  gunner  express  his  wishes 
to  surrender,  in  consequence  of  his  supposing  that  we 
were  sinking-,  instantly  addressed  himself  to  me,  and  ex 
claimed,  "  Do  you  ask  for  quarter  ? — Do  you  ask  for 
quarter?'1  I  was  so  occupied,  at  (his  period,  in  serving 
the  three  pieces  of  cannon  on  the  forecastle, that  1  remain 
ed  totally  ignorant  of  what  had  occurredon  deck  ;  I  re 
plied,  however,  "  I  do  not  dream  of  surrendering,  but  I 
am  determined  to  make  you  strike  !" 

The  English  commander,  however,  conceived  some 
fai-nt  hopes,  in  consequence  of  what  had  been  said,  that 
the  Richard  was  actually  sinking;  but  when  he  perceiv 
ed  that  her  fire  did  not  diminish,  he  immediately  order 
ed  his  men  from  the  forecastle,  where  they  were  too 
much  exposed,  and  stationed  them  below,  where  they 
kept  up  such  a  tremendous  discharge  against  the  Richard, 
that  it  at  once  indicated  vengeance  and  despair. 

It  has  already  been  observed,  that  when  I  commenced 
the  action,  the  Pallas  was  at  a  great  distance  to  wind 
ward,  while  the  Alliance  lav  to  in  the  same  position. 
Whf  n  the  captain  of  the  former  perceived  that  the  en 
gagement  took  place,  he  spoke  to  his  consort ;  but  they 
lost  a  great  deal  of  time,  and  it  was  not  until  now,  that 
they  came  within  gun  shot  of  the  Countess  of  Scarbo 
rough,  and  a  kind  of  running  fight  took  place  between  the 


58  ftlSE  AND  PROGRESS  OF 

latter  and  the  Pallas.  The  Alliance  followed  them,  and 
on  passsing  us,  tired  a  broadside,  which,  as  we  were  close 
ly  engaged  with  the  enemy,  did  no  more  harm  to  them 
than  to  us. 

The  battle  still  continued  with  uncommon  ardor  be 
tween  us  and  the  enemy,  whose or  burned,  and 

her  main-mast  cut  away,  by  degrees,  by  our  bullets  : 
while  the  heavier  metal  of  the  Serapis  drove  in  one  of 
the  sides  of  my  ship,  and  met  with  little  or  no  resistance. 
In  short,  our  helm  was  rendered  useless,  and  the  poop 
was  only  supported  by  an  old  and  shattered  piece  of  tim 
ber,  which  alone  prevented  it  from  giving  away. 

At  length,  after  a  short  engagement,  the  Countess  of 
Scarborough  surrendered  to  the  Pallas  ;  it  was  then  that 
the  captain  of  the  latter  asked  the  commander  of  the 
Alliance,  "  whether  he  would  take  charge  of  the  prize, 
or  sail  and  give  succour  to  the  commodore  V  On  this 
the  Alliance  began  to  stand  backwards  and  forwards  un 
der  her  topsails,  until  having  got  to  the  windward,  she 
came  down,  and  discharged  a  second  broadside  against 
the  fore-part  of  the  Serapis,  and  the  hind-part  of  the 
Richard.  On  this  I  and  several  other  persons  begged 
for  God's  sake,  that  they  would  cease  firing,-and  send  a 
few  men  on  board  of  us  ;  but  he  disobeyed,  anil  fired 
another  broadside  as  he  passed  along  ;  after  which  he 
kept  at  a  most  respectful  distance,  and  took  great  care 
not  to  expose  himself  during  the  remainder  of  the  ac 
tion,  without  receiving  a  single  shot,  or  having  a  man 
wounded  during  the  whole  engagement. 

The  idea  that  we  were  sinking  had  taken  such  pos 
session  of  the  armourer's  mind  that  he  opened  the  scut 
tles,  and  made  all  the  prisoners,  to  the  number  of  a  hun 
dred,  sally  forth,  in  opposition  to  my  reiterated  orders. 
This  event  might  have  proved  fatal,  had  I  not  taken  ad 
vantage  of  their  affright  to  station  them  at  the  pumps, 
where  they  displayed  surprising  zeal,  appearing  actually 
to  forget  their  captivity  ;  for  there  was  nothing  to  pre 
vent  their  going  on  board  the  Serapis ;  or,  it  was  in  their 


THE  AMERICAN  NAVY.  59 

power  to  put  an  end  to  the  engagement  in  an  instant,  by 
either  killing  me,  or  throwing  me  into  the  sea. 

As  our  three  quarter-deck  guns  continued  to  play 
without  interruption  on  the  enemy,  raked  her  hinder 
parts,  and  damaged  her  mast  in  such  a  manner,  that  it 
was  only  supported  from  falling  by  the  yards  of  our  ship, 
while  the  tops  poured  in  a  continual  discharge  ;  the  fire 
of  the  English  began  to  deaden  in  such  a  manner  as  to 
bereave  them  of  all  hope  of  success. 

A  circumstance,  however  occurred,  that  contributed 
not  a  little  to  the  victory  of  the  Richard  :  this  was  the 
extraordinary  intrepidity  and  presence  of  mind  of  a 
Scotch  sailor,  posted  in  the  main-top  ;  this  brave  fellow, 
of  his  own  accord,  seized  a  lighted  match,  and  a  basket 
of  hand-grenades,  with  which  he  advanced  along  the 
main-yard,  until  he  had  arrived  exactly  above  the  ene 
my's  deck.  As  the  flames  of  their  parapets  and  shrouds, 
added  to  the  light  of  the  moon,  enabled  him  to  distin 
guish  objects,  the  moment  he  perceived  two  or  three  per 
sons  assembled  together,  he  instantly  discharged  a  hand 
grenade  among  them  ;  he  had  even  address  enough  to 
drop  several  through  their  scuttles,  and  one  of  them  set 
fire  to  the  cartridge  of  an  eighteen  pounder  belonging  to 
the  lower  deck,  the  discharge  of  which  scorched  several 
of  the  crew. 

On  this,  the  captain  of  the  Serapis  came  upon  the 
quarter  deck,  lowered  his  flag  and  asked  for  quarter,  at 
the  very  moment  his  main-mast  had  fallen  into  the  sea. 
He  then  came  on  board  with  his  officers,  and  presented 
me  with  his  sword.  While  this  was  transacting,  eight  or 
ten  men  belonging  to  the  Richard  seized  on  the  Serapis' 
shallop,  which  had  been  at  anchor  during  the  engage 
ment,  and  made  off". 

It  was  more  than  eleven  o'clock  when  the  battle  en 
ded  ;  it  had  consequently  lasted  more  than  four  hours. 
My  ship  had  no  more  than  322  men,  good,  bad  and  in- 
difierent,  on  board,  at  the  commencement  of  the  engage 
ment  ;  and  sixty  of  these,  posted  in  the  gun-room  whea 


60  RISE  AND  PROGRESS  OF 

the  gun  burst,  having  been  of  no  further  service  during 
the  action,  could  not  be  proper!)'  considered  as  forming 
part  of  the  crew  opposed  to  the  Sernpis,  which  had  re 
ceived  a  supply  of  English  sailors  while  in  Denmark; 
and  it  appeared,  indeed,  by  the  muster  roll,  that  there 
were  upwards  of  400  on  board  of  her,  when  the  first  gun 
was  fired.  Her  superiority  was  still  more  considerable 
in  respect  to  guns,  without  mentioning  her  greater 
weight  in  metal,  which  surpassed  ours  beyond  all  com 
parison.  Thus,  setting  aside  the  damage  done  by  the 
Countess  of  Scarborough,  during  the  forepart  of  the  ac 
tion,  and  also  by  the  three  broadsides  from  the  Alliance, 
it  will  be  easy  to  form  a  due  judgement  of  the  combat 
between  the  Richard  and  the  Serapis,  and  set  a  proper 
value  on  a  victory  obtained  over  a  force  so  greatly  su 
perior,  after  such  a  long,  bloody  and  close  engagement. 

The  Vengeance,  a  corvette,  mounting  twelve  three 
pounders,  and  the  boat  belonging  to  the  pilot,  with  my 
second  lieutenant,  another  officer,  and  ten  men,  would 
have  been  of  singular  service,  either  in  pursuing  and  cap 
turing  the  convoy,  or  by  reinforcing  me  ;  but,  strange 
as  it  may  appear,  the  fact  is,  that  they  remained  all  this 
time  mere  spectators  of  the  action,  in  which  they  took 
no  interest,  keeping  themselves  to  windward,  and  out  of 
all  danger  ;  while  on  the  other  hand,  the  conduct  of  the 
Alliance  had  at  least  the  appearance  of  proceeding  from 
a  principle  worse  than  ignorance  or  insubordination. 

It  must  appear  clear,  from  what  has  been  already  said, 
that  if  the  enemy's  ports  were  not  annoyed,  the  Baltic 
fleet  taken,  and  the  eight  Indiamen  seized,  the  blame 
did  not  lie  with  me. 

It  is  but  justice,  however,  to  observe,  that  some  of  mj 
officers  conducted  themselves  admirably  during  the  ac 
tion.  The  lieutenant,  Mr.  Dale,  being  left  alone  at  the 
guns  below,  and  finding  he  could  not  rally  his  men,  came 
upon  deck,  and  superintended  the  working  of  the 
pumpsi  notwithstanding  he  had  been  wounded.  Not- 


THE  AMERICAN  NAVY.  61 

withstanding  all  his  efforts,  the  hold  was  mpre  than  half 
full  of  water  when  the  enemy  surrendered. 

During  the  last  three  hours  of  the  action  both  the  ves 
sels  were  on  fire  ;  by  throwing  water  on  the  flames,  it 
was  sometimes  supposed  that  they  were  quenched,  but 
they  always  broke  forth  anew,  and,  on  the  close  of  the 
action,  we  imagined  it  wholly  extinguished.  It  was  very 
calm  during  the  remainder  of  the  night ;  but,  when  the 
wind  began  to  blow,  our  danger  became  imminent,  the 
fire  having  penetrated  the  timbers,  and  spread  until  it 
had  reached  within  a  few  inches  of  the  powder-maga 
zine.  On  this,  the  ammunition  was  brought  on  the  deck, 
to  be  thrown  into  the  sea,  in  case  of  extremity  ;  but  W¥, 
at  length,  succeeded  in  our  endeavors,  by  cutting  away 
a  few  planks,  and  employing  our  buckets. 

Next  morning  the  weather  was  hazy  and  not  a  sail  to 
be  seen.  We  then  examined  the  Richard  to  see  if  it 
were  possible  to  carry  her  into  any  port.  This  proving 
wholly  impracticable,  all  the  boats  were  employed  in 
carrying  the  wounded  on  board  the  other  vessels.  This 
occupied  much  of  our  time,  and  on  the  succeeding  day, 
notwithstanding  all  our  pumps  had  been  at  work,  the 
hold  was  entirely  full  of  water,  and  the  vessel  soon  after 
sunk.  On  this  occasion  I  could  only  save  signal  flags, 
and  I  lost  all  my  property,  amounting  to  more  than 
5,000  livres. 

On  this  I  instantly  assumed  the  command  of  the  Sera- 
pis,  on  which  we  erected  jury  masts  ;  but  the  sea  was  so 
tempestuous  that  it  was  ten  days  before  we  reached  the 
Texel. 

No  sooner  was  my  arrival  known  than  forty-two  vessels, 
forming  different  squadrons  of  frigates,  were  fitted  out 
from  the  various  ports  in  Great  Britain  against  me,  and 
two  of  these  were  stationed  during  three  months  at  the 
mouths  of  the  Texel  and  the  Fly.  My  situation  in  Hol 
land  influenced  not  a  little  the  conduct  of  the  belliger- 
ant  powers,  at  the  same  time  that  it  excited  the  atten 
tion  of  all  Europe.  The  English  minister  at  the  Hague 
6 


62  RISE  AND  PROGRESS  OF 

addressed  different  memorials  to  the  states  general,  in  all 
which  he  insisted  that  the  Serapis  and  the  Countess  of 
Scarborough  "  should  be  delivered  up  to  the  kiag,  his 
master  ;"  and  he,  at  the  same  time,  claimed  me  under 
the  appellation  of"  Scotch  pirate." 

Instead  of  listening  to  these  propositions,  the  states 
general  permitted  me  to  land  my  wounded  on  the  island 
of  the  Texel,  which  was  delivered  up  to  me  for  that  pur 
pose  ;  on  this  the  British  government  became  furious, 
and  Holland  was  reduced  to  so  critical  a  situation,  that 
the  states  were  under  the  necessity  of  insisting  that  I 
should  either  leave  the  Texel,  or  produce  a  commission 
from  his  most  Christian  majesty,  and  hoist  the  French 
flag. 

The  prince  of  Orange,  who  was  attached  to  the  Eng 
lish  interest,  sent  the  Vice  Admiral  Rhynst,  who  was 
also  English  in  his  heart,  to  assume  the  command  of  the 
Dutch  squadron  in  the  Texel,  composed  of  thirteen 
two-deckers.  This  officer  drew  up  his  squadron,  du 
ring  six  weeks,  in  such  a  manner  as  to  menace  us  ;  and, 
in  short,  did  every  thing  in  his  power  to  render  my  situ 
ation  both  dangerous  and  disagreeable. 

In  the  mean  time  I  had  an  interview  with  the  Duke 
de  la  Vanguyon,  at  Amsterdam,  who  intimated  to  me, 
that  it  was  the  intention  of  the  king  of  France  that  I 
should  hoist  his  flag  during  my  stay  in  the  Texel,  as  he 
imagined,  that  my  prizes  would  assuredly  fall  into  the 
enemy's  hands  if  I  tried  to  escape — I,  however,  refused 
this  honor,  as  I  had  declared  myself  an  American  ofli- 
cer,  and  had  given  a  copy  of  my  commission  from  con 
gress  to  the  Dutch  admiral.  It  was  contrived,  howev 
er,  at  length,  that  I  should  go  on  board  the  frigate  Alli 
ance,  the  captain  of  which  had  been  sent  to  Paris,  to 
give  an  account  of  his  conduct,  and  where  I  should  still 
carry  my  former  colours',  while  the  prizes  should  hoist 
the  French  flag. 

At  length  the  wind  becoming  favorable,  on  the  27th 
of  February,  1779,  the  Alliance  set  sail  after  having 


THE  AMERICAN  NAVY.  63 

lost  all  her  anchors,  one  only  excepted,  in  consequence 
of  Admiral  Rhynst's  instructions  to  the  pilot ;  and  it  was 
at  least  an  hundred  to  one,  that  we  should  fall  in  with 
the,  enemy.  I,  however,  had  the  good  fortune  to  es 
cape,  although  the  Alliance  passed  the  Straits  of  Do 
ver,  within  sight  of  the  English  squadron  in  the  Downs. 

After  getting  clear  of  the  Channel,  I  soon  reached  the 
latitude  of  Cape  Finisterre,  and  entered  the  port  of  Co- 
runna,  January  16,  1780. 

On  my  return  to  Fiance,  I  found  that  the  French 
commissary  had  made  a  private  sale  of  my  prizes  to  the 
king  without  consulting  me.  On  this  I  repaired  to  Ver 
sailles,  along  with  Dr.  Franklin,  but  was  received  with 
great  coolness  by  the  minister  of  the  marine.  On  this 
account  I  declined  asking  him  to  present  me  to  his  ma 
jesty.  This  honor  was  conferred  on  me  next  day  by  the 
Prince  de  Beauveau,  captain  of  the  guards.  The  pub 
lic  received  me  at  the  opera,  and  all  the  public  places 
where  I  appeared,  with  the  most  lively  enthusiasm  ;  this, 
added  to  the  very  favorable  reception  I  received  from 
his  majesty,  afforded  me  singular  satisfaction  :  and  the 
minister  of  the  marine  from  that  moment  paid  me  the 
most  marked  attention. 

The  Count  de  Maurepas  about  this  time  intimated  to 
me,  that  his  majesty  had  resolved  to  confer  some  distin 
guished  mark  of  his  bounty  and  personal  esteem  on  me  ; 
this  proved  to  be  a  sword,  mounted  with  gold,  on  which 
was  engraven  the  following  flattering  motto  : — 

VINDICATIMARIS 

LUDOVICUS  XVI.    REMUNERATOR 

STRENUO    VINDICI. 

The  hilt  was  of  gold,  and  the  blade,  &c.  were  em 
blazoned  with  his  majesty's  arms,  the  attributes  of  war, 
and  an  emblematical  representation  of  the  alliance  be 
tween  France  and  America.  The  most  Christian  king, 
at  the  same  time,  transmitted  a  most  admirable  letter  to 


64  RISE   AND  PROGRESS  OF 

congress,  in  which  he  offered  to  decorate  me  with  the 
order  of  military  merit.  All  this  was  extremely  flatter 
ing,  as  Louis  XVI.  had  never  presented  a  sword  to  any 
other  officer,  and  never  conferred  the  cross,  except  on 
such  officers  as  were  invested  with  his  majesty's  com 
mission. 

The  minister  of  the  marine,  a  short  time  after  this,  lent 
me  the  Ariel,  a  king's  ship,  carrying  twenty  guns,  with 
which  I  sailed,  October  8th,  1780,  for  America.  The 
wind  was  at  first  favorable  ;  but  I  was  soon  after  in  dan 
ger  of  foundering  on  the  Penmarks — and  escaped  only 
by  cutting  away  my  main  and  mizen  masts.  As  soon  as 
the  storm  abated,  we  erected  jury  masts,  and  returned  to 
refit ;  in  short,  it  was  the  18th  of  December  before  I 
could  proceed  for  Philadelphia. 

During  the  voyage,  I  fell  in  with  an  English  twenty 
gun  ship,  called  the  Triumph,  and  partly  by  stratagem, 
and  partly  by  hard  fighting,  forced  her  to  strike  her  flag  ; 
but  while  we  were  about  to  take  possession  of  her,  the 
captain,  taking  advantage  of  her  superior  sailing,  made 
off,  and  escaped. 

On  my  arrival  in  America,  the  congress,  on  the  rep 
resentation  of  the  Chevalier  De  la  Luzerne,  passed  a 
law  to  enable  me  to  accept  the  military  order  of  France. 
The  French  minister,  on  this  occasion,  gave  an  enter 
tainment,  to  which  all  the  members  of  congress,  and  the 
principal  inhabitants  of  Philadelphia,  were  invited  ;  af 
ter  which  I  was  invested,  in  their  presence,  with  the 
decorations  of  the  order. 

As  the  three  ministers  plenipotentiary  from  America 
had  unfortunately  disagreed,  it  necessarily  follows  that 
there  rrould  be  some  contradiction  in  respect  to  their 
reports  concerning  me.  In  consequence  of  this,  the 
congress  enjoined  the  admiralty  to  inquire  into  the  na 
ture  of  my  connexion  with  the  court  of  France,  and  the 
reasons  which  had  induced  me  to  remain  in.  Europe, 
and  delay  the  convoy  of  the  military  stores  appertain' 
ing  to  the  United  States.  In  consequence  of  the  exam- 


THE  AMERICAN  NAVY  65 

ination  that  ensued,  and  the  report  that  Was  delivered 
in,  the  congress  passed  an  act,  dated  April  14,  1 781,  in 
which  I  was  thanked,  in  the  most  flattering  manner,  *  for 
the  zeal,  the  prudence,  and  the  intrepidity,  with  which  I 
had  sustained  the  honor  of  the  American  flag  ;  for  my 
bold  and  successful  enterpsises,  with  a  view  to  redeem 
from  captivity  the  citizens  of  America,  who  had  fallen 
into  the  power  of  the  English,  and  for  the  eminent  servi 
ces  by  which  1  had  added  lustre  to  my  own  character 
and  the  arms  of  America.1  A  committee  of  congress 
was  also  of  opinion,  '  that  I  deserved  a  gold  medal,  in 
remembrance  of  my  services.' 

On  the  21st  of  June,  1781,  I  was  appointed,  by  an 
unanimous  vote  of  congress,  'to  the  command  of  the 
America,  a  seventy-four  gun  ship,  then  building,  and  on 
the  birth  of  the  Dauphin,  I,  at  my  own  expense,  celebra 
ted  that  happy  event  by  royal  salutes  during  the  day, 
and  a  brilliant  illumination  in  the  evening,  accompa 
nied  by  tire-works. 

An  unfortunate  accident,  soon  after  this,  deprived  me 
of  the  command  of  that  fine  vessel  :  for  the  Magnifique, 
of '74  guns,  belonging  to  the  Marquis  de  Vaudreuil's  fleet, 
happening  to  be  lost  at  Boston,  the  congress  seized  on 
this  occasion  to  testify  its  gratitude  to  his  most  Chris 
tian  majesty,  by  presenting  him  with  the  America  to  re 
place  her. 

In  the  mean  time,  it  was  resolved  to  place  a  French 
frigafte,  called  Plndienne,  with  two  or  three  armed  ves 
sels  under  my  orders,  in  order  to  seize  on  Bermudas  ; 
but,  as  this  was  never  put  into  execution,  I  applied  to 
congress  for  leave  to  serve  on  board  the  fleet  of  the 
Count  d'Estaing,  then  destined  for  an  expedition  against 
Jamaica. 

The  Marquis  de  Vaudreuil  received  me  with  great  dis 
tinction  on  board  his  own  ship,  the  Triumphant,  where 
I  occupied  the  same  cabin  as  the  Baron  de  Viomenil, 
who  commanded  the  land  forces.  When  we  were  with 
in  sight  of  Porto  Rico,  intelligence  was  received,  that 
6* 


66  RISE  AND  PROGRESS  OF 

Admirals  Pigot  and  Hood  were  preparing  to  intercept 
us  ;  and  as  Don  Solano,  with  the  Spanish  fleet,  did  not 
meet  us  at  Porto  Cabello,  according  to  his  promise, 
many  of  the  officers,  becoming  disgusted  with  the  en 
terprise,  fell  sick,  and  I  myself  was  in  a  dangerous  state  ; 
but  we  were  relieved  from  our  disagreeable  situation,  by 
intelligence  from  Europe  that  a  general  peace  had  taken 
place.  This  circumstance  afforded  me  great  pleasure  ; 
as  1  now  learned  that  Great  Britain,  after  a  long  and 
bloody  contest,  had  been  forced  to  recognise  the  sove 
reignty  and  independence  of  the  United  States  of  Amer 
ica. 

On  this,  we  repaired  to  St.  Domingo,  where  I  re 
ceived  every  possible  mark  of  esteem  from  M.  De  Belle- 
combe,  the  governor  :  after  a  short  stay,  I  embarked 
for  Philadelphia,  penetrated  with  gratitude  for  the  va 
rious  marks  of  esteem  I  had  received  from  all  the 
French  officers,  during  the  five  months  I  had  been  on 
board  his  majesty's  squadron. 

I  was  unable  to  re-establish  my  health»during  the  rest 
of  the  summer,  which  I  spent  in  Pennsylvania  ;  and  I 
did  not  get  well  until  Autumn,  when  I  recovered  by 
means  of  the  cold  bath. 

I  then  demanded  permission  to  return  to  Europe,  on 
purpose  to  recover  the  prize-money  due  to  myself,  offi 
cers  and  sailors,  which  was  granted  me  by  an  act  of  con 
gress,  dated  at  Prince-Town,  November  1,  1783. 

On  this,  I  embarked  at  Philadelphia,  on  board  a  pack 
et-boat  destined  for  Havre  de  Grace  ;  but  being  forced 
into  Plymouth  by  contrary  winds.  I  took  post-horses  for 
London,  and  then  set  out  for  Paris,  and  was   received 
with  great  cordiality  by  the  ministry. 

Having  at  length  received  from  the  court  of  France 
the  amount  of  the  prizes,  1  returned  to  America  on  board 
a  French  packet-boat. 


THE  AMERICAN  NAVY.  67 

CHAPTER  IV. 

FEDERAL   CONSTITUTION. 
Subject    Continued. 

AT  the  return  of  peace  in  1783,  the  Americans  had  tri 
umphed  over  Britain,  by  sea  and  land,  and  the  treaty  of 
Paris  had  guaranteed  to  them  all  the  rights  and  privileges 
of  a  free  and  independent  nation.  The  heroes  of  the  rev 
olution  returned  again  to  the  shades  of  retirement,  and 
the  walks  of  private  life.  Their  armed  vessels  were 
again  converted  into  merchantmen,  to  plough  the  ocean, 
under  the  prosperous  gales  of  commerce,  and  their 
thunders  were  hushed  to  repose.  At  this  time  the  trade 
of  the  U.  S.  had  been  swept  from  the  ocean,  and  almost 
wholly  confined  to  the  domestic  circle  of  the  states  ;  but 
the  genius  of  commerce  awoke  from  her  slumber,  and 
roused  to  the  strife  the  rival  interests  of  Britain,  France, 
Spain,  Holland,  and  America,  to  supply  with  foreign 
goods  the  long  exhausted  American  markets.  The 
country  was  soon  supplied,  even  to  an  excess,  that  occa 
sioned  such  mercantile  strife  and  competition,  as  to  baf 
fle  the  powers  of  the  government  of  the  confederation  to 
regulate  and  control.  As  soon  as  the  citizens  of  the 
U.  S.  saw  the  imbecility  of  their  government,  for  the 
regulation  of  such  an  extended  commerce,  they  turned 
their  attention  to  an  affectual  method  to  remedy  the 
evil.  Upon  a  recommendation  of  congress,  a  general 
convention  of  all  the  states,  except  Rhode  Island,  was 
convened  at  Philadelphia,  in  May,  1787  ;  the  articles  of 
confederation  were  revised,  the  new  Federal  Constitu 
tion  was  framed,  and  adopted  in  1788  ;  a  new  congress 
was  constitutionally  chosen,  and  organized,  in  the  Spring 
of  1789,  which  became  responsible  for  the  future  peace 
and  prosperity  of  the  nation.  Under  this  constitution, 
new  commercial  treaties  were  formed,  the  treaty  of 
Paris  of  1 783  was  rigidly  observed  and  enforced,insurrec- 


68  RISE  AND  PROGRESS  OF 

tions  and  Indian  wars  were  controlled  and  suppressed, 
national  credit  was  supported  upon  a  permanent  basis, 
and  an  unparalleled  prosperity  pervaded  the  nation,  un 
til  the  year  1794.  At  this  time,  the  regency  of  Algiers 
refused  to  roceive  the  annual  tribute  sent  out  by  the 
government  of  the  U.  S.  agreeable  to  treaty;  and  com 
menced  depredations  upon  American  commerce.  As 
soon  as  this  procedure  was  announced  to  the  American 
government,  by  Mr.  Lear,  their  consul  resident  at  Al 
giers,  congress  met  the  indignity  with  firmness,  and  or 
dered  six  frigates,  4  of  44  guns,  and  2  of  36,  to  be  im 
mediately  built,  to  form  a  naval  force  to  chastise  those 
Barbary  marauders  into  a  just  and  honorable  peace. 
This  prompt  measure  of  the  government,  added  to  a  spir 
ited  negotiation,  soon  brought  the  dey  of  Algiers  to  a  just 
sense  of  the  wrongs  and  aggressions  which  he  hadcom- 
mitted  upon  American  commerce ;  the  former  treaty 
was  renewed,  the  American  prisoners,  and  property 
were  released,  and  peace  was  restored  upon  the  then 
fashionable  terms,  annual  tribute.  Sept.  5,  1795. 

From  this  time,  the  United  States  enjoyed  uninterrup 
ted  tranquillity,  until  the  picaroons  and  ships  of  France 
began  to  commit  depredations  upon  their  commerce,  in 
1797,  which  involved  them  in  a  naval  war  with  that 
terrible  republic,  in  1798,  which  continued  two  years. 

This  war  was  soon  brought  to  a  close,  by  the  bril 
liant  exploits  of  a  Truxton,  a  Little,  a  Stewart,  a  Try  on, 
a  Barney  and  others,  whose  naval  career  of  glory  was 
crowned  with  the  capture  of  the  Le  Insurgente,  La 
Burceau,  La  Vengeance,  Diana,  Flambeau,  and  other 
armed  ships  of  France,  as  trophies  of  their  victories. 

This  war,  though  short,  was  a  brilliant  naval  school 
for  the  rising  heroes  of  America,  where  they  practically 
learnt  to  apply  that  theory  of  naval  tactics,  they  so  assid 
uously,  as  well  as  successfully  studied,  for  the  defence 
of  their  country's  rights  and  honor,  and  their  own  im 
mortal  fame. 

The  question  then  arose   in  the  national    council  ; 


THE  AMERICAN  NAVY.  69 

what  shall  be  done  with  that  little  navy,  which  had  won 
such  laurels  upon  the  ocean,  and  given  such  eclat  to 
the  nation.*  In  the  decision  of  this  question  the  wis 
dom  of  those  statesmen  shone  as  conspicuous,  as  when 
they  created  and  supported  it.  They  saw  before  them 
the  accumulated  weights  of  debts,  and  taxes,  which 
Great  Britain  endures  from  the  expenses  of  her  vast  naval 
establishment,  and  they  saw  also,  at  the  same  time,  her 
system  of  economy,  in  dismantling,  and  laying  up  in  or 
dinary,  in  time  of  peace,  all  such  ships  of  war  as  were 
not  necessary  for  the  immediate  protection  of  her  com 
merce  and  her  island. t  They  carefully  avoided  the 
first,  by  authorising  the  executive,  to  dispose  of  all  such 

*  The  navy  commenced  under  Washington's  administration,  \vila 
six  frigates  and  had  been  augmented  in  Adams'  administration  to  twen 
ty  frigates,  and  other  aimed  vessels,  and  then  to  thirty  six,  with  a 
provisional  act  for  building  six  seventy  fours. 

t  The  following  extract  from  the  Edinbugh  Magazine  may  serve  to 
illustrate  the  present  system  of  British  taxation. 

We  can  inform  Jonathan  what  are  the  inevitable  consequences  of 
being  too  fond  of  glory.  Taxes  upon  every  article  which  enters  into 
the  mouth,  or  covers  the  back,  or  is  placed  under  the  foot,  taxes  up 
on  every  thing  which  is  pleasant  to  see,  hear,  feel,  smell  or  taste  ; 
taxes  upon  warmth,  light  or  locomotion  ;  taxes  on  every  thing  on 
earth,  and  the  waters  under  the  earth — of  every  thing  that  comes 
from  abroad,  or  is  grown  at  home  ;  taxes  on  the  raw  material,  taxes 
on  every  fresh  value  that  is  added  to  it  by  the  industry  of  men  ;  tax 
es  on  the  sauce  which  pampers  man's  appetite,  and  the  drug  that 
restores  him  to  health  :  on  the  ermine  which  decorates  the  Judge, 
and  the  rope  which  hangs  the  criminal  ;  on  the  poor  man's  salt  and 
the  rich  man's  spice ;  on  the  brass  nails  of  the  coffin,  and  the  ribbands 
of  the  bride  ;  at  bed,  or  at  board,  couchant  or  levant,  we  must  pay  ! 
The  school  boy  whips  his  taxed  top — the  beardless  youth  manages 
his  taxed  horse  with  a  taxed  bridle  on  a  taxed  road  ;  and  the  dying 
Englishman,  pouring  his  medicine  which  has  paid  seven  percent,  in 
to  a  spoon  which  has  paid  fifteen  per  cent,  flings  himself  back  upon 
his  chrntz  bed,  which  has  paid  22  per  cent. — makes  his  will  on  an  8/. 
stamp,  and  expires  in  the  arms  of  an  apothecaiy  who  has  paid  100/. 
for  the  privilege  of  putting  him  to  death.  His  whole  property  is  then 
taxed  from  2  to  10  per  cent,  besides  the  probate.  Large  fees  are  de 
manded  for  burying  him  in  the  Chancel:  his  virtues  are  handed 
down  to  posterity  on  taxed  marble  ;  and  he  is  then  gathered  to  Ml 
fathers  to  be  taxed  no  more," 


70  RISE  AND  PROGRESS  OF 

armed  vessels  as  should  be  deemed  unnecessary,  or  su 
pernumerary,  in  time  of  peace.  Although  this  measure 
was  warmly  opposed  in  congress,  at  the  time*  it  was 
sanctioned  by  the  weight  of  public  opinion,  and  gave 
general  satisfaction  to  the  nation.  The  same  policy  that 
thus  dismantled  the  little  navy  of  the  United  States,  sus 
pended  the  act  for  building  the  six  74s,  and  under  the 
same  principles  of  economy. 

Although  this  act  was  equally  popular  as  the  other, 
yet  many  of  the  friends  of  commerce,  who  had  witness 
ed  the  protection  they  had  experienced  from  a  naval 
force,  and  the  heroes  as  well  as  the  friends  of  the  navy, 
felt  the  shock,  when  they  saw,  or  thought  they  saw  the 
right  arm  of  the  nation  palsied  at  a  blow,  and  the 
bulwark  of  national  defence,  and  national  honor  sacri 
ficed  upon  the  shrine  of  a  false  economy.  The  acts 
of  congress  were  promptly  carried  into  effect,  and 
the  gallant  naval  heroes  returned  again  to  the  bosom 
of  their  families,  there  to  enjoy  the  laurels  they  had  so 
nobly  won  by  the  smiles  and  benedictions  of  a  grateful 
country. 

Although  the  navy  of  the  United  States  was  thus  by 
law  reduced,  and  the  senior  cammanders  were  reposing 
in  peace  in  the  bosom  of  their  families,  the  spirit  of  the 
rising  heroes  indulged  not  a  moment's  repose.  Their 
ardent  minds  thirsted  for  fame,  and  their  active  exer 
tions  cultivated  a  knowledge  of  that  nautical  skill,  and 
those  naval  tactics,  that  laid  the  foundation  of  their  fu 
ture  laurels. 

During  this  period  of  peace  and  tranquillity,  the  com 
merce  of  the  United  States  was  free  and  uninterrupted, 
throughout  the  world.  The  ships  of  the  nation  crossed 
every  sea,  and  their  spreading  canvass  whitened  every 
clime.  But  this  was  of  short  duration. 

Those  sons  of  Ishmael  that  inhabit  the  southern 
shores  of  the  Mediteranean  sea,  commonly  denominated 
Barbary  Powers,  had  long  been  accustomed  to  plunder 
the  commerce  of  Christian  nations,  and  imprison  their 


THE  AMERICAN  NAVY.  7] 

captives  in  the  dungeons  of  slavery,  or  extort  exorbit 
ant  sums  by  way  of  tribute  for  their  ransom.  Those 
sons  of  barbarous  rapine  fixed  their  eyes  upon  the  com 
merce  of  the  United  States  of  America,  and  agreeably  to 
their  usage  for  centuries,  again  sent  out  their  cruisers, 
seized  several  merchant  vessels,  belonging  to  citizens  of 
the  United  States  ;  carried  them  into  their  ports  for 
adjudication,  and  imprisoned  their  crews,  or  condemned 
them  to  perpetual  slavery. 

The  great  maritime  powers  of  Europe  had  suffered 
these  indignities  for  centuries,  and  encouraged  the  ag 
gressors  in  their  depredations,  by  ransoming  their  peo 
ple  and  property,  and  thus  gave  sanction  and  support  to 
a  system  of  piracy,  by  a  voluntary  tribute,  that  was  de 
grading  to  the  Christian  name. 

Those  corsairs  of  the  Mediteranean  flattered  them 
selves  with  a  belief,  that  if  their  powerful  neighbors  could 
thus  be  made  tributary,  a  young,  and  in  their  estimation 
a  feble  nation,  residing  more  than  three  thousand  miles 
across  the  Atlantic,  in  the  region  of  the  west,  and  desti 
tute  of  a  naval  force,  could  readily  he  made  subservient 
to  their  views,  and  enrich  their  coffers  with  tribute. 
Their  cruel  and  avaricious  hearts  prompted  them  to 
make  the  experiment ;  and  the  regency  of  Tripoli  fitted 
out  its  cruisers,  and  commenced  depredations  accor 
dingly. 

When  the  news  of  these  depredations  reached  Amer 
ica,  the  government  and  the  nation  felt  the  shock,  and 
prepared  promptly  to  redeem  their  citizens,  and  their 
property,  and  vindicate  their  honor,  and  their  rights. 
They  again  turned  their  attention  to  that  little  navy, 
which  had  wrought  such  wonders  in  the  naval  war  with 
France,  but  whose  thunders  had  been  hushed  to  peace, 
and  still  slept  in  port,  under  the  watchful  care  of  their 
veteran  and  rising  heroes.  The  American  government 
saw  at  once,  the  alternative  that  lay  before  them  and 
prepared  promptly  to  meet  it.  True  to  themselves, 
they  paused  not  a  moment  between  the  choice  of  slave- 


72  RISE  AND  PROGRESS  OF 

ry,  and  tribute,  or  an  efficient  naval  force  to  vindicate 
their  rights,  and  protect  their  commerce  ;  and  fixed 
upon  the  latter,  as  alone  admissible.  The  frigate  Es 
sex,  with  several  others,  was  ordered  to  be  immediately 
ready  for  service  in  the  Mediterranean,  and  commodore 
Dale  appointed  to  the  command.  The  orders  were 
promptly  obeyed,  the  squadron  was  soon  ready,  and  the 
commodore  set  sail  for  the  coast  of  Barbary.  He  en 
tered  the  Mediterranean  in  triumph,  displayed  the  star- 
spangled  banner,  for  the  first  time  upon  the  mast  of  an 
American  armed  ship  in  that  sea,  and  took  his  station  at 
the  entrance  of  the  harbor  of  Tripoli,  to  check  the 
ravages  of  the  corsairs  of  the  imperious  Bashaw.  While 
commodore  Dale  was  engaged  in  this  service,  capt. 
Sterrett,  of  the  armed  schooner  Enterprize,  one  of  the 
American  squadron,  fell  in  with  a  Tripolitan  corsair  off 
the  island  of  Malta,  and  after  a  desperate  action  of  two 
hours,  compelled  her  to  strike  her  colors  ;  then  de- 
mantled  her  and  let  her  go.  The  following  extract  from 
the  purser's  report  will  show  more  fully  the  desperate 
conflict. 

"  Lying  off  the  island  of  Malta,  so  celebrated  in  an 
cient  and  modern  history,  a  Tripolitan  cruiser  bore 
down  upon  our  schooner,  and  gave  us  a  broadside.  It 
was  instantly  returned.  For  two  glasses  ["two  hours] 
the  contest  was  terrible  as  can  be  imagined.  She  low 
ered  the  Turkish  crescent,  to  the  stars  and  stripes — but 
the  cheers  for  victory  had  scarcely  ended,  when  the 
cruiser  hoisted  her  red  flag,  and  poured  into  us  another 
broadside.  The  contest  was  renewed  with  renewed 
desperation.  She  again  struck  ;  and  when  Capt.  Ster 
rett  was  approaching  her,  it  was  a  third  time  renewed. 
The  indignation  manifested  by  the  captain  and  crew  ii 
indescribable.  I  left  my  station  as  purser  of  the  ship, 
was  handing  cartridges  to  the  men,  and  distinctly  heard 
the  Captain  exclaim,  "  Sink  the  damned  treacherous 
creatures  to  the  bottom."  The  slaughter  became  dreadful 
on  the  corsair,  and  the  commander  prostrated  himself  on 


THE  AMERICAN  NAVY.  73 

the  side  of  his  ship,  and,  with  his  own  hands  flung  his 
own  flag  into  the  sea.  Capt.  Sterrett,  being  instructed 
not  to  make  any  prize,  from  his  quarter  deck,  ordered 
the  perfidious  Turk  to  throw  all  his  guns,  ammunition 
and  arms  of  every  kind  into  the  sea,  and  tell  his  master 
this  was  the  only  tribute,  he  would  ever  after  receive 
from  Americans.'' 

When  the  vanquished  corsair  returned  into  port,  and 
showed  to  his  master  the  valour  and  magnanimity  of  the 
Americans,  as  displayed  in  the  wreck  of  his  vessel,  the 
Bashaw  saw  at  once,  that  the  continuance  of  a  war  with 
such  a  people  would  prove  unprofitable  ;  he  immedi 
ately  sued  for  peace,  and  proffered  to  commodore  Dale 
such  terms  as  were  consistent  with  his  instructions.  He 
met  the  overture,  settled  a  peace,  and  returned  in  tri* 
umph  to  the  United  States,  1801. 

When  the  Bashaw  saw  the  wreck  of  his  cruiser,  and 
learnt  that  she  had  struck  her  colours  to  an  American 
armed  vessel  of  equal  size,  he  was  enraged,  and  ordered 
the  captain,  wounded  as  he  was,  to  be  bastinadoed  with 
five  hundred  strokes,  and  then  conveyed  through  the 
streets  upon  an  ass,  as  an  object  of  ridicule,  and  con 
tempt  for  the  people. 

The  triumph  of  the  naval  heroes  of  the  American 
revolution,  and  of  the  late  war  with  France  had  been 
felt,  and  were  remembered  by  the  Christian  powers  of 
Europe  ;  but  the  barbarians  of  the  Mediterranean  nei 
ther  felt  nor  believed  that  the  infant  navy  of  America 
could  check  their  ravages  ;  but  this  lesson  taught  them 
by  commodore  Dale  was  severely  felt,  and  gave  an  eclat 
to  the  American  navy  that  will  not  be  forgotten.  All 
the  other  Barbary  powers,  and  even  the  Christian  pow 
ers  of  Europe  viewed  the  enterprise  with  astonishment. 


74  RISE  AND  PROGRESS  OF 

CHAPTER  V. 

Subject  Continued. 

Upon  the  return  of  commodore  Dale  to  the  United 
States,  the  government  saw  at  once,  the  importance  of 
a  naval  force  in  the  Mediterranean,  and  immediately  or 
dered  commodore  Morris  to  get  in  readiness  a  second 
squadron,  for  the  protection  of  American  commerce  in 
that  sea.  He  promptly  obeyed,  and  soon  after,  hoisted 
his  broad  pennant  upon  the  frigate  New  York,  and  sail 
ed  with  the  frigate  John  Adams  to  his  destined  station. 

The  fame  of  his  predecessor  remained  bright  and  un 
sullied  in  that  region,  and  so  far  overawed  the  Barbary 
powers,  that,  nothing  further  remained  for  commodore 
Morris  to  do,  than  to  traverse  the  Mediterranean,  display 
his  flag  fora  short  time,  then  resign  his  command  to  com 
modore  Rodgers,  and  return  to  his  country,  with  the 
good  tidings,  that  peace  continues  abroad,  commerce  is 
free,  and  all  is  well.  But  this  was  of  short  duration  ; 
the  Barbary  corsairs  renewed  their  ravages,  and  the  gov 
ernment  of  the  United  States  again  met  the  crisis,  to  vin 
dicate  the  honor  of  their  play. 

In  the  summer  of  1803,  commodore  Preble  received 
orders  to  get  ready  a  squadron  for  the  Mediterranean 
lervice  ;  he  obeyed  with  alacrity,  and  on  the  13th  of 
August  hoisted  his  flag  on  board  the  frigate  Constitution, 
and  set  sail,  accompanied  by  the  frigate  Philadelphia,  each 
44  guns,  the  brig  Argus,  18  guns,  Syren,  Nautilus,  and 
Vixen,  of  16  guns  each,  and  Enterprize  of  14  guns. 
Upon  the  arrival  of  this  squadron  at  Gibraltar,  commo 
dore  Rodgers,  then  on  his  return  to  the  United  States 
with  his  little  squadron,  joined  commodore  Preble  to 
assist  in  chastising  the  emperor  of  Morocco,  for  his  pirati 
cal  depredations  upon  American  commerce. 

On  the  5th  of  October  commodore  Preble,  after  haT- 
ing  despatched  the  Philadelphia  and  Vixen  to  block- 


THE  AMERICAN  NAVY.  75 

ade  Tripoli,  entered  the  bay  of  Tangier,  and  came  to 
anchor  with  his  squadron,  within  half  a  mile  of  the  em 
peror's  batteries.  On  the  next  day,  the  emperor  appear 
ed  upon  the  beach,  at  the  head  of  five  thousand  men, 
and  received  his  visiters  with  a  salute  from  his  batte 
ries  and  a  munificent  present  of  oxen,  sheep,  and  poul 
try.  The  salute  was  cheerfully  returned,  and  the  pres 
ents  thankfully  received  ;  but  the  visit  was  not  closed. 
The  emperor's  cruisers  had  captured  several  American 
merchantmen,  and  had  been  out  under  orders  to  cap 
ture  indiscriminately,  all  such  as  fell  in  their  way  ;  and 
although  some  of  their  cruisers  had  been  captured,  and 
others  driven  into  port  by  the  American  squadron,  satis 
faction  had  not  yet  been  made  for  the  offence.  Commo 
dore  Preble  demanded  immediate  redress  for  the  inju 
ries  received.  The  emperor  took  the  subject  into  his 
most  serious  consideration,  and  again  appeared  upon  the 
beach  at  the  head  of  his  troops,  to  view  the  visiting  ar 
mament. 

On  the  9th,  the  emperor  sent  the  American  consul, 
Mr.  Simpson,  on  board  of  commodore  Preble,  with  as 
surances  that  all  American  vessels,  then  in  his  power, 
with  their  crews  and  effects,  should  be  restored,  and 
that  he  would  admit  the  commodore  to  an  audience  the 
next  day,  to  settle  the  terms  of  peace. 

Commodore  Preble  cheerfully  accepted  the  invita 
tion,  and  the  next  day  selected  capt.  Charles  Morris 
for  his  secretary,  and  in  company  with  col.  Lear,  the 
American  consul  for  Tripoli,  attended  by  two  of  his  mid 
shipmen,  put  off  for  the  shore.  But  before  his  depar 
ture,  he  gave  orders  to  his  lieut.  on  board,  in  case  he 
should  be  detained,  to  vindicate  the  honor  of  his  flag. 
Double  files  of  dragoons  were  drawn  up  upon  the  beach, 
to  receive  the  commodore  and  his  suite,  through  which 
they  advanced  with  a  firm  and  undaunted  step,  until 
they  approached  his  Majesty.  The  officer  of  the  guard 
requested  commodore  Preble  to  lay  aside  his  side  arms  \ 


76  RISE  AND  PROGRESS  OF 

but  he  replied,  "  that  he  must  comply  with  the  custom 
of  his  country,  and  keep  them." 

The  emperor  surrounded  by  his  court,  his  guards  and 
his  slaves,  received  the  undaunted  Preble  with  the  fol 
lowing  salutation.  "  Are  you  not  afraid  of  being  detain 
ed  as  a  prisoner."  To  which  he  promptly  replied  ; 
u  you  dare  not  detain  me  sir  ;  and  should  you  attempt  it, 
iny  squadron  now  in  view  would  lay  your  battery,  your 
castle,  and  your  city  in  ruins  in  one  hour.''  Here  follow 
ed  a  negotiation  as  firm,  as  prompt,  and  as  successful  as 
that  of  Lord  Nelson  at  Copenhagen,  with  the  king  of 
Denmaik.  The  emperor  fulfilled  his  engagements,  and 
delivered  up  all  American  captives,  renewed  the  peace  of 
1786,  and  the  commodore  with  his  officers  returned  in 
triumph  on  board  his  fleet. 

Commodore  Preble  was  now  at  liberty  to  direct  his 
whole  attention  to  Tripoli.  The  season  was,  however, 
too  far  advanced  for  active  operations. 

On  the  31st  of  October,  the  Philadelphia,  being  at 
nine  o'clock  in  the  morning,  about  five  leagues  to  the 
westward  of  Tripoli,  discovered  a  sail  in  shore,  standing 
before  the  wind  to  the  eastward.  The  Philadelphia  im 
mediately  gave  chase.  The  sail  hoisted  Tripolitan  col 
ours,  and  continued  her  course  near  the  shore.  The 
Philadelphia  opened  a  fire  upon  her,  and  continued  it, 
till  half  cast  elpy::  .  -^  —^  }n  geven  &£% 

Jincl  finding  her  fire  could  not  prevent  the  vessel  enter 
ing  Tripoli,  she  gave  up  the  pursuit.  In  beating  oflf,  she 
ran  on  a  rock,  not  laid  down  in  any  chart,  distant  four 
and  a  half  miles  from  the  town.  A  boat  was  immediate 
ly  lowered  to  sound.  The  greatest  depth  of  water  was 
found  to  be  astern.  In  order  to  back  her  off,  all  sails 
were  laid  aback  ;  the  top-gallant-sails  loosened;  three 
anchors  thrown  away  from  the  bows  ;  the  water  in  the 
hold  started  ;  and  all  the  guns  thrown  overboard,  ex 
cepting  a  few  abaft  to  defend  the  ship  against  the  attacks 
of  the  Tripolitan  gun-boats,  then  firing  at  her.  All  this, 
however,  proved  ineffectual  ;  as  did  also  the  attempt  to 


THE  AMERICAN  NAVY.  77 

lighten  her  forward  by  cutting  away  her  foremast.  The 
Philadelphia  had  already  withstood  the  attack  of  the 
numerous  gun-boats  four  hours,  when  a  large  reinfoce- 
ment  coming  out  of  Tripoli,  and  being  herself  deprived 
of  every  means  of  resistance,  and  defence,  she  was 
forced  to  strike,  about  sunset.  The  Tripolitans  imme 
diately  took  possession  of  her,  and  made  prisoners  of  the 
officers  and  men,  in  number  three  hundred.  Forty-eight 
hours  afterwards,  the  wind  blowing  in  shore,  the  Trip 
olitans  got  the  frigate  off,  and  towed  her  into  the  har 
bour. 

On  the  14th  of  December,  Commodore  Preble  sailed 
from  Malta,  in  company  with  the  Enterprize,  comman 
ded  by  lieutenant  Stephen  Decatur.  On  the  23d,  the 
latter  captured  a  ketch  in  sight  of  Tripoli  ;  which  place 
she  had  left  the  preceding  night,  bound  to  Bingazi. 
She  was  under  Turkish  colours,  and  was  navigated  by 
Turks  and  Greeks.  On  board  of  her  were  two  Tripo- 
litan  soldiers,  and  about  forty  blacks  belonging  to  the  ba 
shaw  and  his  subjects.  The  commodore  had  at  first  de 
termined  to  release  the  vessel  and  men  claimed  by  the 
Turkish  captain,  and  only  detain  the  Tripolitans,  about 
sixty  in  number,  as  prisoners.  But  before  this  deter 
mination  could  be  put  in  execution,  he  ascertained,  that 
this  same  captain  had  been  very  active  in  assisting  to 
take  the  Philadelphia.  He  had,  on  that  occasion,  re 
ceived  on  board  his  vessel  one  hundred  armed  Tripoli- 
tans  ;  had  changed  his  own  colours  for  that  of  the  ene 
my  ;  had  attacked  the  frigate  ;  and,  when  she  was  board 
ed,  had  plundered  the  officers.  This  determined  the 
commodore  to  retain  the  vessel.  As  she  was  in  no  con 
dition  to  be  sent  to  the  United  States,  he  forwarded 
her  papers  to  government.  Soon  after  he  had  her  ap 
praised  ;  and  took  her  into  the  service  as  the  ketch  In- 
terpid. 

When  lieutenant  Decatur  was  informed  of  the  loss  of 
the  Philadelphia,  he  immediately  formed  a  plan  of  re 
capturing  or  destroying  her,  which  he  proposed  to  com* 


78  RISE  AND  PROGRESS  OF 

modore  Preble.  At  first  the  commodore  thought  the 
projected  enterprise  too  hazardous  ;  bnt  at  length  gran 
ted  his  consent.  Lieutenant  Decatur  then  selected  for 
the  enterprise  the  ketch  Intrepid,  lately  captured  by  him. 
This  vessel  he  manned  with  seventy  volunteers,  chiefly 
of  his  own  crew  ;  and  on  the  third  of  February  sailed 
from  Syracuse,  accompanied  by  the  brig  Syren,  lieuten 
ant  Stewart.  The  Syren  was  to  aid  the  boats  ;  and,  in 
case  it  should  be  deemed  expedient  to  use  the  Intrepid  as 
a  fire  ship,  to  receive  her  crew. 

As  soon  as  the  crews  of  the  Ketch  Intrepid  and  the 
brig  Syren  were  made  up,  the  utmost  despatch  was  used 
in  preparing  them  for  the  expedition.  The  Ketch  was 
fitted  out  as  a  fire  ship,  in  case  it  should  be  necessary  to 
use  her  as  such.  The  brig  with  the  boats  accompany 
ing  her,  were  to  aid,  as  circumstances  rendered  it  ne 
cessary,  and  to  receive  the  crew  of  the  Ketch  if  she 
was  driven  to  the  necessity  of  being  blown  up. 

Upon  the  3d  day  of  February,  Decatur  weighed  an 
chor  in  the  little  Intrepid,  accompanied  by  Lieut.  Stew 
art,  in  the  Syren,  who  was  also  accompanied  by  the 
boats.  A  favourable  wind  would  have  wafted  them  to 
their  destined  port  in  less  than  five  days  ;  but  for  fifteen 
days,  they  encountered  the  most  boisterous  and  tempes 
tuous  weather.  Instead  of  encountering  a  barbarous 
enemy,  they  were  buffeting  the  waves  and  struggling  for 
life  with  a  tumultuous  and  agitated  sea.  Nothing  could 
be  better  calculated  to  repress  the  ardour  of  Decatur 
and  his  little  band.  His  provisions  were  diminished 
and  almost  expended  ;  and  although  not  a  murmur  es 
caped  from  the  lips  of  the  humblest  seaman,  it  mar 
well  be  imagined  what  must  be  their  reflections,  when 
liable  every  hour  to  be  swallowed  up  by  the  waves  ;  and 
if  they  escaped  them  to  be  famished  with  hunger !  Men 
of  the  stoutest  hearts  who  would  undauntedly  rush  to 
the  cannon's  mouth,  become  even  children  at  the  pros 
pect  of  famine. 

At  length,   upon  the   memorable    16th  of  February, 


THE  AMERICAN  NAVY.  79 

1804,  a  little  before  sunset,  Decatur  hove  in  sight  of 
the  bay  of  Tripoli,  and  of  the  frigate  Philadelphia,  with 
the  Turkish  Crescent  proudly  waving  at  her  head.  — 
The  apprehensions  arising  from  storms  and  famine  were 
suddenly  banished  by  the  prospect  of  a  glorious  victory 
or  a  glorious  death.  Lord  Nelson,  when  entering  into 
the  action  of  Cape  St.  Vincent,  exclaimed,  "  Glorioug 
victory  —  or  Westminster  Abbey.  v* 

It  was  determined  that  at  ten  o'clock  in  the  evening 
the  Intrepid  should  enter  the  harbour  accompanied 
by  the  boats  of  the  Syren.  But  a  change  of  wind  had 
separated  the  two  vessels  six  or  eight  miles.  As  delay 
might  prove  fatal,  lieutenant  Decatur  entered  the  har 
bour  alone  about  eight  o'clock.  The  Philadelphia  lay 
within  half  gun  shot  of  the  Bashaw's  castle  arid  princi 
pal  battery.  On  her  starboard  quarter  lay  two  Tripo- 
litan  cruisers  within  two  cables,  length  ;  and  on  the 
starboard  bow  a  number  of  gun-boats  within  half  gun 
shot.  All  her  guns  were  mounted  and  loaded.  Three 
hours  were,  in  consequence  of  the  lightness  of  the  wind, 
consumed  in  passing  three  miles,  when,  being  within 
two  hundred  yards  of  the  Philadelphia,  they  were  hail 
ed  from  her,  and  ordered  to  anchor  on  peril  of  being 
tired  into.  The  pilot  on  board  the  Intrepid  was  order 
ed  to  reply,  that  all  their  anchors  were  lost.  The 
Americans  had  advanced  within  fifty  yards  of  the  frigate> 
when  the  wind  died  away  into  a  calm.  Lieutenant  De 
catur  ordered  a  rope  to  be  taken  out  and  fastened  to  the 
fore  chains  of  the  frigate,  which  was  done,  and  the  Intre- 
warped  along  side.  It  was  not  till  then  the  Tri- 


*  To  the  common  reader,  the  exclamation  of  Nelson  may  not 
be  altogether  intelligible.  It  has,  for  some  centuries  been  cnsto- 
aiary  in  England  to  entomb  the  bodies  of  Heroes,  Statesmen. 
Poets,  &c.  in  "  Westminster  Abbey"  as  one  of  the  highest  honour* 
that  can  be  bestowed  upon  the  "  illustrious  dead,''  and  to  erect  a 
monument  or  statue  near  them.  The  great  Doct  Johnson,  in  tb* 
agonies  of  death,  was  consoled,  when  told  that  his  body  would  be 
there  deposited.  The  reader  will  find  an  elegant  description  «f 
this  ancient  Cemetery  in  Professor  Silliman's  Journal. 


80  RISE  AND  PROGRESS  OF 

politans  suspected  them  to  be  an  enemy  ;  and  their  con 
fusion  in  consequence  was  great.  As  soon  as  the  vessels 
were  sufficiently  near,  lieutenant  Decatur  sprang  on 
board  the  frigate  and  was  followed  by  midshipman  Mor 
ris.  It  was  a  minute  before  the  remainder  of  the  crew 
succeeded  in  mounting  after  them.  But  the  Turks, 
crowded  together  on  the  quarter  deck,  were  in  too  great 
consternation  to  take  advantage  of  this  delay.  As  soon 
as  a  sufficient  number  of  Americans  gained  the  deck, 
they  rushed  upon  the  Tripolitans,  who  were  soon  over 
powered ;  and  about  twenty  of  them  were  killed.  Af 
ter  taking  possession  of  the  ship,  a  firing  commenced 
from  the  Tripolitan  batteries  and  castle,  and  from  two 
corsairs  near  the  frigate  ;  a  number  of  launches  were 
also  seen  rowing  about  in  the  harbour ;  whereupon 
lieutenant  Decatur  resolved  to  remain  in  the  frigate,  for 
there  he  would  be  enabled  to  make  the  best  defence. 
But  perceiving  that  the  launches  kept  at  a  distance,  he 
ordered  the  frigate  to  be  set  on  fire,  which  was  immedi 
ately  done,  and  so  effectually,  that  with  difficulty  was 
the  Intrepid  preserved.  A  favorable  breeze  at  this  mo 
ment  sprung  up,  which  soon  carried  them  out  of  the 
harbour.  None  of  the  Americans  were  killed,  and  fcnly 
four  wounded.  For  this  heroic  achievement  lieutenant 
Decatur  was  promoted  to  the  rank  of  post  captain.  Hi* 
commission  was  dated  on  the  day  he  destroyed  the  Phi 
ladelphia. 

After  the  destruction  of  the  Philadelphia  frigate,  com 
modore  Preble  was,  during  the  spring  and  early  part  of 
the  summer,  employed  in  keeping  up  the  blockade  of  the 
harbour  of  Tripoli,  in  preparing  for  an  attack  upon  the 
town,  and  in  cruising.  A  prize  that  had  been  taken  was 
put  in  commission,  and  called  the  Scourge.  A  loan  of  six 
gun-boats  and  two  bomb-vessels,  completely  fitted  for 
service,  was  obtained  from  the  king  of  Naples.  Permis 
sion  was  also  given  to  take  twelve  or  fifteen  Neapolitan* 
on  board  each  boat,  to  serve  under  the  American  flag. 


THE  AMERICAN  NAVY-  81 

With  this  addition  to  his  force,  the  commodore,  on  the 
21st  of  July,  joined  the  vessels  off  Tripoli.  His  squad 
ron  then  consisted  of  the 

Frigate       Constitution,     44     guns,     24    pounders. 

Brig  Argus,  18  24 

Syren,  18  18 

Scourge, 

Schooner    Vixen,  16  6 

Nautilus,  16  6 

Enterprize,       12  6 

Besides  six  gun-boats,  carrying  each  a  twenty-six  brass 
pounder,  and  two  bomb-ketches,  carrying  each  a  thir 
teen  inch  mortar.  The  number  of  men  engaged  in  th* 
service  amounted  to  one  thousand  and  sixty. 

On  the  Tripolitan  castle  and  batteries,  one  hundred 
and  fifteen  guns  were  mounted  ;  fifty-five  of  which 
were  pieces  of  heavy  ordnance  :  the  others  long  eigh 
teen  and  twelve  pounders.  In  the  harbour  were  nine 
teen  gun-boats,  carrying  each  a  long  brass  eighteen  or 
twenty-four  pounder  in  the  bow,  and  two  howitzers 
abaft;  also  two  schooners  of  eight  guns  each,  a  brig  of 
ten,  and  two  galleys,  of  four  guns  each.  In  addition  to 
the  ordinary  Turkish  garrison,  and  the  crews  of  the 
armed  vessels,  estimated  at  three  thousand,  uoward*  ~ 

frirft»-.*TT    fVtrtncn"<4     A  ~o  U  ~    »- -    *    ?  ,   ,       .       f         .*  -*** 

,MV>»j  M*v,-u«««  **i aua  imu  oeen  assembled  tor  the  de 
fence  of  the  city. 

The  weather  prevented  the  squadron  from  approach 
ing  the  city  until  the  28th,  when  it  anchored  within  two 
miles  and  a  half  of  the  fortifications  ;  but  the  wind  sud 
denly  shifting,  and  increasing  to  a  gale,  the  commodore 
was  compelled  to  return.  On  the  3d  of  August,  he 
again  approached  to  within  two  or  three  miles  of  the 
batteries.  Having  observed  that  several  of  the  ene 
my's  boats  were  stationed  without  the  reef  of  rocks, 
covering  the  entrance  of  the  harbour,  he  resolved  to 
take  advantage  of  this  circumstance.  He  made  signal 
for  the  squadron  to  come  within  speaking  distance,  to 
communicate  to  the  several  commanders  his  intention 


02  RISE  AND  PROGRESS   OF 

of  attacking  the  shipping  and  batteries.  The  gun-boats 
and  bomb-ketches  were  immediately  manned,  and  pre 
pared  for  action.  The  former  were  arranged  in  two  di 
visions  of  three  each.  The  first  division  was  under  the 
command  of  captain  Sdmers,  on  board  the  boat  No.  1  ; 
lieutenant  James  Decatur  commanded  the  boat  No.  2  ; 
and  lieutenant  Blake,  No.  3.  The  second  division  was 
commanded  by  captain  Decatur,  in  No.  4  ;  lieutenant 
Bainbridge  commanded  No.  5  ;  and  lieutenant  Trippe 
No.  6.  The  two  bomb-ketches  were  commanded,  the 
one  by  lieutenant  commandant  Dent ;  the  other  by  Mr. 
Robinson,  first  lieutenant  of  the  commodore's  ship. — 
At  half  past  one,  the  squadron  stood  in  for  the  batteries. 
At  two,  the  gun-boats  were  cast  off.  At  half  past  two, 
signal  was  made  for  the  bomb-ketches  and  gun-boats  to 
advance  and  attack.  At  three  quarters  past  two,  the 
signal  was  given  for  a  general  action.  It  commenced 
by  the  bomb-k  etches  throwing  shells  into  the  town.  A 
tremendous  fire  immediately  commenced  from  the  ene 
mies'  batteries  and  vessels,  of  at  least  two  hundred  guns. 
It  was  immediately  returned  by  the  American  squadron, 
now  within  musket-shot  of  the  principal  batteries. 

At  this  moment,  captain  Decatur,  with  the  three  gun 
boats  under  his  command,  attacked  the  enemy's  eastern 
division,  consisting  of  nine  gun-boats.  He  was  soon  in 
the  middle  of  them.  The  fire  of  the  cannon  and  mus« 
ketry  was  immediately  changed  to  a  desperate  attack 
with  bayonet,  spear,  sabre,  &c.  Captain  Decatur  hav 
ing  grappled  a  Tripolitan  boat,  and  boarded  her  with 
only  fifteen  Americans ;  in  ten  minutes  her  decks  were 
cleared,  and  she  was  captured.  Three  Americans  were 
wounded.  At  this  moment  captain  Decatur  was  inform 
ed  that  the  gun-boat  commanded  by  his  brother,  had  en 
gaged  and  captured  a  boat  belonging  to  the  enemy  ;  but 
that  his  brother,  as  he  was  stepping  on  board,  was 
treacherously  shot  by  the  Tripolitan  commander,  who 
made  off  with  his  boat.  Captain  Decatur  immediately 
pursued  the  murderer,  who  was  retreating  within  the 


THE  AMERICAN  NAYT.  83 

lines ;  baring  succeeded  in  coming  along  side,  he  board 
ed  with  only  eleven  men.  A  doubtful  contest  of  twen 
ty  minutes  ensued.  Decatur  immediately  attacked  the 
Tripolitan  commander,  who  was  armed  with  a  spear 
and  cutlass.  In  parrying  the  Turk's  spear,  Decatur 
broke  his  sword  close  to  the  hilt,  and  received  a  slight 
wound  in  the  right  arm  and  breast ;  but  having  seized 
the  spear  he  closed  ;  and,  after  a  violent  struggle,  both 
fell,  Decatur  uppermost.  The  Turk  then  drew  a  dag 
ger  from  his  belt ;  but  Decatur  caught  hold  of  his  arm, 
drew  a  pistol  from  his  pocket  and  shot  him.  While 
they  were  thus  struggling,  the  crews  of  both  vessela 
rushed  to  the  assistance  of  their  commanders.  And  so 
desperate  had  the  contest  round  them  been,  that  it  was 
with  difficulty  Decatur  could  extricate  himself  from  the 
killed  and  wounded  that  had  fallen  around  him.  In  this 
affair  an  American  manifested  the  most  heroic  courage 
and  attachment  to  his  commander.  Decatur,  in  the 
struggle,  was  attacked  in  the  rear  by  a  Tripolitan  ;  who 
had  aimed  a  blow  at  his  head,  which  must  have  proved 
fatal,  had  not  this  generous-minded  tar,  then  dangerous 
ly  wounded,  and  deprived  of  the  use  of  both  his  hands, 
rushed  between  him  and  the  sabre,  the  stroke  of  which 
ho  received  in  his  head,  whereby  his  skull  was  fractur 
ed.  This  hero,  however,  survived,  and  now  receives  a 
pension  from  his  grateful  country.  All  the  Americans 
but  four  were  wounded.  Captain  Decatur  brought  both 
his  prizes  safe  to  the  American  squadron. 

Lieutenant  Trippe  boarded  one  of  the  enemy's  large 
boats,  with  only  a  midshipman,  Mr.  Jonathan  Henly, 
and  nine  men  ;  his  boat  falling  off  before  any  more 
could  join  him.  He  was  thus  left  either  to  perish,  or  to 
conquer  thirty-six  men,  with  only  eleven.  Though  at 
first,  the  victory  seemed  doubtful,  yet,  in  a  few  minutes, 
the  Tripolitans  were  subdued  ;  fourteen  of  them  were 
killed,  and  twenty-two  taken  prisoners.  Seven  of  these 
last  were  severely  wounded.  Lieutenant  Trippe  re 
ceived  eleven  sabre  wounds,  some  of  them  dangerous. 


84  RISE  AND  PROGRESS  OF 

The  blade  of  his  swosd  bending,'  he  closed  with  his  an* 
tagonist.  Both  fell.  In  the  struggle,  Trippe  wrested 
the  Turk's  sword  from  him,  and,  with  it,  stabbed  him  to 
the  heart. 

JJeutenant  Bainbridge  had  his  lateen  yaroV'*shot 
away.  This  rendered  all  his  exertions  to  gef  along 
»ide  the  enemy's  boats  of  no  effect.  But  his  brisk  and 
well  directed  (ire,  within  musket  shot, did  great  execution. 
At  one  time  his  boat  grounded  within  pistol  shot  of  one 
of  the  enemy's  batteries.  lie  was  there  exposed  to  the 
fire  of  musketry  ;  but,  by  his^address  and  courage,  he 
extricated  himself  from  his  dangerous  situation. 

Captain  Somers  was  not  able  to  gfij^far  enough  to 
windward,  to  co-operate  with  Decatur.  He,  however, 
bore  down  upon  the  leeward  division  of  the  enemy.—- 
With  his  single  boat,  he  attacked  five  full  manned  Tri- 
polilan  boats,  within  pistol  shot.  He  defeated,  and 
drove  them  in  a  shattered  condition,  and  with  the  losi 
of  many  lives,  to  take  refuge  uujj^rthc  rocks. 

The  two  bomb  vessels  kept  tHeir  station,  and  threw  a 
great  many  shells  into  the  town.  Five  of  the  enemy'* 
grin-boats,  and  two  galleys,-  composing  their  centre  divi 
sion,  stationed  withjn  the/rfteks  being  reinforced,  and 
all  joined  by  the  gun-boats  that  had  been  driven  in, 
twice  attempted  to  row  out  and  surround  the  gun-boati 
and  prizes  of  the  Americans.  They  were,  however, 
prevented  by  the  Vigilance  of  the  commodore,  who 
made  signal  for  the  brigs  and  schooners  to  cover  them. 
This  was  properly  executed  by  these  vessels.  Their 
conduct  was  excellent  during  the  whole  of  the  engage - 
rnenl,  and  (hey  anwycd  the  enemy  exceedingly.  The 
fire  from  the  Constitution  did  considerable  execution, 
and  kept  the  enemy's  llotilla  in  constant  disorder.  She 
\va*  several  times  within  two  cables'  length  of  the  rocks, 
and  three  of  the  batteries.  As  soon  as  her  broadside 
was  brought  to  bear  on  any  of  tTie  batteries,  it  was  im- 
silenced,  l^ut  having  no  large  vessels  to  §e- 


THE  AMERICAN   NAVY.  85 

cure  these  advantages-,  the  fire  .was   recommenced  as 
soon  a"§  she  changed  her  position. 

At  half  past  four,  the  wind  having  inclined  to  the 
northward,  and  the  enemy's  flotilla  having  retreated  to  a 
station  which  covered  them  from  the  fire  of  the  Ameri 
cans,  signal  was  made  for  the  gun-boats  and  bombs  to 
retire  from  the  action.  This  was  effected,  and  in  fif 
teen  minutes  the  squadron  was  out  of  the  reach  of  the 
enemy's  shot.  The  squadron  was  more  than  two  hours 
within  grape  shot  distance  of  the  enemy's  batteries, 
which  kept  up  a  consfemtjirc.  The  damage  sustained 
by  the  Americans  was  by  no  means  proportionate  to  the 
apparent  dan§;ejv.  The  frigate  Constitution  was  struck 
in  her  mainmasiby  a  thirty-two  pound,  ball,  her  sails 
and  rigging  were  considerably  cut,  and  one  of  her  quar 
ter-deck  guns  was  injured  by  a  round  shot ;  not  a  man, 
however,  was  killed  on  board  of  her.  The  other  ves 
sels  suffered  in  their  rigging,  a»d  had  several  men  wound 
ed  ;  but  none  were  killed,  excepting  lieutenant  Deca- 
tur.  On  the  part  of*ttie  enemy  the  effect  of  this  en 
gagement  was  very  different.  The  boats  captured  by 
the  Americans  had  one  hundred  and  three  men  on  board, 
forty-seven  of  whom  were.  Jelled  anuVtwenty-six  wound 
ed.  Three  other  boats  were  sunk  with  all  the  men  on 
board  of  them.  Numbers  were  also  swept  from  the 
decks  of  the  other  vessels  in  the  harbour.  On  shore, 
several  Tripolitans  Were  killed  and.  wounded  ;  a  num 
ber  of  guns  in  the  batterie$  were  dismounted ;  and  the 
town  was  considerably  injured. 

When  the  squadron  was  stan/ling  in  for  the  attack, 
the  bashaw  affected  to  despise  them.^  After  having  sur 
veyed  them  from  his  palace,  he  gaid,  u  they  will  mark 
their  distance  for  tacking  ;  they  are  a  sort  of  Jews,  who 
have  no  notion  of  fighting."  The  palace  and  terraces 
of  the  houses  were  crowded  with  spectators  to  behold 
the  chastisement  the, bashaw's  boats  would  give  the 
American  vessels  if  they  approached  too  near.  Mo 
mentary,  however,  was  this  exultation.  Scarcely  had 
8 


86  RISE  AND  PROGRESS  OF 

the  battle  commenced,  when  no  one  was  to  be  Been, 
except  at  the  batteries.  Many  of  the  inhabitants  fled 
to  the  country  ;  and  the  bashaw  retreated  to  his  bomb 
proof  room. 

On  the  5th  of  August,  the  commodore  prevailed  on  a 
French  privateer,  that  had  left  Tripoli  in  the  morning, 
to  return  with  eleven  wounded  Tripolitans,  whose 
wounds  had  been  carefully  dressed.  The  commodore 
also  sent  a  letter  to  the  bashaw's  minister.  The  pris 
oners  informed  the  prince,  that  the  Americans  in  battle 
were  fiercer  than  lions,  but  in  the  treatment  of  their 
prisoners,  they  were  even  more  kind  than  the  mussul- 
men.  The  bashaw  at  first  misunderstood  the  motive  of 
sending  these  men  ;  but  when  informed  that  it  was  done 
through  motives  of  humanity,  he  professed  to  be  pleas 
ed,  and  said  if  he  took  any  wounded  Americans,  he 
should,  in  like  manner,  restore  them  :  but  he  would  not 
release  any  of  the  crew  of  the  Philadelphia. 

On  the  7th  the  privateer  returned  with  a  letter  from 
the  French  consul,  signifying  that  the  bashaw  would 
probably  treat  on  more  reasonable  terms.  Nothing, 
however,  definitive  or  satisfactory  was  proposed.  The 
terms  intimated  were  considerably  higher  than  the  com 
modore  felt  willing,  or  thought  himself  authorised  to 
accept.  He  therefore  prepared  for  a  second  attack. — 
The  bomb-ketches,  commanded  by  lieutenants  Crane 
and  Thorn,  were  to  take  a  station  in  a  small  bay  west  of 
the  town,  where  without  being  much  exposed,  they 
might  throw  their  shells  with  great  effect.  The  gun 
boats  were  to  attack  a  §even  gun  battery.  The  brigs 
and  schooners  were  to  support  them,  in  case  the  enemy's 
flotilla  should  venture  out.  At  half-past  two,  the  action 
commenced.  In  the  course  of  two  hours,  six  of  the 
seven  guns  in  the  battery  were  silenced.  During  the 
action,  forty-eight  shells  and  about  five  hundred  round 
shot  were  thrown  into  the  town  and  batteries.  The 
Tripolitan  galleys  manoeuvred  to  gain  a  position  that 
might  enable  them  to  cut  off  the  retreat  of  the  Ameri- 


THE  AMERICAN  NAVY.  87 

can  gun-boats  ;  but  the  large  vessels  defeated  their  de 
sign.  One  of  the  American  prize  boats,  taken  in  the 
first  attack,  was  blown  up  by  a  red-hot  shot  from  the 
battery  passing  through  her  magazine.  She  had  on 
board  twenty-eight  men,  ten  of  whom  were  killed,  and 
six  wounded :  among  the  former  were  James  Caldwell, 
first  lieutenant  of  the  Syren,  and  J.  Dorsey,  midship 
man.  Mr.  Spence,  midshipman,  and  eleven  men,  wer* 
taken  up  unhurt.  When  the  explosion  took  place,  thii 
young  officer  was  superintending  the  loading  of  a  gun  ; 
having  discharged  the  piece,  he  with  the  survivors  jump 
ed  into  the  sea.  They  were  soon  taken  up  by  another 
boat. 

At  eight  in  the  evening  of  the  same  day,  the  John 
Adams,  captain  Chauncey,  joined  the  squadron.  By 
him  the  commodore  was  informed,  that  four  frigates 
were  on  their  passage  ;  also,  that  by  the  appointment  of 
a  senior  officer  to  one  of  the  frigates,  he  would  be  su 
perseded  in  his  command.  The  government  was  high 
ly  satisfied  with  the  conduct  of  the  comipodore ;  but 
had  not  a  sufficient  number  of  captains,  juniors  to  the 
commodore  to  supply  all  the  frigates  with  commanders ; 
nor  had  information  of  his  brilliant  success  as  yet  reach 
ed  America. 

The  John  Adams  having  been  sent  out  as  a  transport, 
no  assistance  could,  for  the  present,  be  received  from 
her.  All  her  guns  were  stowed  by  the  kelson,  and  their 
carriages  put  away  on  board  of  the  other  frigates.  As 
these  last  were  all  to  sail  four  days  after  the  John  Ad 
ams,  further  operations  were  suspended  in  expectation 
of  their  arrival. 

On  the  9th,  the  commodore  reconnoitred  the  har 
bour,  in  the  brig  Argus.  Next  day  a  flag  of  truce  was 
seen  flying  on  the  shore.  The  commodore  sent  a  boat, 
but  which,  however,  was  not  permitted  to  land  her  men. 
They  returned  with  a  letter  from  the  French  consul. 
By  it  the  commodore  was  informed  that  the  bashaw 
would  accept  five  hundred  dollars  for  the  ransom  of 


8£  RISE  AND  PROGRESS  OF 

each  prisoner,  and  put  an  end  to  the  war  without  any 
annuity  for  peace.  The  sum  demanded  amounted  to 
about  one  hundred  and  fifty  thousand  dollars.  This 
the  commodore  rejected  ;  but  for  the  sake  of  the  cap 
tives,  and  to  prevent  further  effusion  of  blood,  he  offer 
ed  eighty  thousand  dollars  as  ransom,  and  ten  thousand 
dollars  as  presents.  The  bashaw,  however,  suspended 
the  negotiations,  and  said  he  would  wait  the  result  of 
another  attack. 

On  the  night  of  the  23d,  the  bomb-ketches  were  sent 
under  the  protection  of  the  gun-boats,  to  bombard  the 
town.  The  bombardment  commenced  at  two  A.  M. 
and  continued  till  daybreak  ;  but  without  much  effect. 

The  weather  being  favourable  on  the  27th,  the  com 
modore  stood  in  for  Tripoli,  and  anchored  the  Consti 
tution  two  miles  N.  by  E.  from  Fort  English.  The  light 
vessels  kept  under  way.  As  a  number  of  officers  and 
seamen  of  the  Constitution  were  employed  in  the  boat, 
captain  Chauncey,  several  of  his  officers,  and  about 
seventy  seamen,  volunteered  their  services  on  board 
her. 

The  gun-boats,  accompanied  by  the  Syren,  Argas, 
Vixen,  Nautilus,  Enterprise,  and  the  boats  of  the  squad 
ron,  anchored  at  three  in  the  morning  within  pistol 
shot  of  the  enemy's  lines.  With  springs  on  their  ca 
bles,  they  commenced  a  brisk  fire  on  the  shipping,  town, 
batteries,  and  castle.  It  was  warmly  returned  from  the 
enemy's  batteries.  The  boats  of  the  squadron  remain 
ed  with  the  gun-boats  to  assist  in  boarding  the  flotilla, 
in  case  it  should  come  out.  The  brigs  and  schooners 
kept  under  way,  to  harrass  the  enemy,  and  to  support 
the  gun-boats.  At  daylight,  the  commodore,  apprehen 
sive  that  the  ammunition  of  the  gun-boats  might  be 
nearly  expended,  weighed  anchor,  and  stood  in  under 
the  direct  fire  of  Fort  English,  and  of  the  castle,  crown 
and  mole  batteries.  He  made  signal  for  the  gun-boats 
to  retire  from  action.  Having  arrived  at  a  good  dis 
tance  for  firing  at  thirteen  Tripolitan  gun-boats  and  gal- 


THE   AMERICAN  NAVY.  89 

leys,  engaged  with  the  American  boats,  he  discharged 
a  broadside  of  round  and  grape  shot  at  them.  One  of 
them  was  sunk ;  two  were  disabled  ;  and  the  remain 
der  put  to  flight.  The  commodore  then  continued  run 
ning  in  until  within  musket  shot  of  the  batteries.  He 
hove  to,  fired  three  hundred  round  shot,  besides  grape 
and  cannister,  into  the  bashaw's  castle,  town  and  batte 
ries.  The  castle  and  two  of  the  batteries  were  silen 
ced.  A  little  after  six  he  hauled  off.  The  gun-boat* 
fired  four  hundred  round  shot,  besides  grape  and  can 
nister,  apparently  with  much  effect.  The  result  of  this 
attack  was  serious  on  shore.  A  thirty-six  pound  ball 
penetrated  the  castle,  and  entered  the  apartment  of  the 
prisoners.  Considerable  damage  was  done  to  the  hous 
es.  Several  lives  were  lost.  A  boat  from  the  John 
Adams,  with  a  master's  mate  and  eight  men  on  board, 
was  sunk  by  a  double  headed  shot,  which  killed  three 
seamen  and  badly  wounded  another. 

The  French  consul,  immediately  after  the  attack,  re 
newed  the  negotiations  for  peace.  They  were,  howev 
er,  broken  off,  in  consequence,  he  thought,  of  one  of 
the  vessels  of  the  squadron  approaching  the  harbour  as 
a  cartel.  This  the  bashaw  interpreted  as  a  proof  of 
discouragement  on  the  part  of  the  Americans. 

On  the  3d  of  September,  the  bomb-ketches  being  re 
paired,  and  also  the  damages  sustained  by  the  other  ves 
eels  in  the  action  of  the  27th  of  August,  the  commo 
dore  resolved  on  another  attack.     The  action  com 
menced  between  three  and  four  o'clock,  and  soon  be 
came  general.     As  the  American  gun-boats  bore  down, 
the  boats  and  galleys  gave  way,  and  retreated  under 
cover  of  the  musketry,  on  shore.     The  brigs,  schoon 
ers  and  gun-boats,  pursued  as  far  as  the  depth  of  the 
water  would  permit,  and  within  musket  shot  of  Fort 
English.     The  action  in  this  quarter  was  divided.    The 
brigs  and  schooners,  with  one  divison  of  the  gun-boats, 
engaged  the  fort.     The  other  division  continued  enga 
ged  with  the  Tripolitan  boats  and  galleys. 
8* 


$0  RISE  AND  PROGRESS  OF 

The  two  bomb-ketches,  while  throwing  their  shells 
into  the  town,  were  exposed  to  a  direct  fire  from  the 
bashaw's  castle,  from  the  crown,  mole,  and  several  oth 
er  batteries.  The  commodore,  perceiving  their  dan 
ger,  ran  his  ship  between  them  and  the  batteries,  within 
musket  shot.  Seventy  guns  were  brought  to  bear  on 
him  from  the  batteries.  But  he  discharged  eleven 
broadsides  with  so  much  effect,  that  he  silenced  the 
principal  batteries,  and  injured  the  others,  and  also  the 
town  considerably.  The  wind  veering  to  the  north 
ward,  and  it  beginning  to  blow  fresh,  the  commodore, 
at  half  past  four  P.  M.  gave  signal  to  retire  from  the  ac 
tion  under  cover  of  the  Constitution.  Though  the  fri 
gates  and  vessels  were  much  damaged  in  this  engage 
ment,  not  a  man  was  lost. 

The  bomb-vessel,  commanded  by  lieutenant  Robin 
son,  had  all  her  shrouds  shot  away,  and  was  so  much 
damaged  in  her  hull,  as  to  be  with  difficulty  kept  above 
water.  The  Argus  received  a  thirty-two  pound  ball  in 
her  hull.  It  cut  away  a  bower  cable  as  it  entered,  which 
so  completely  destroyed  its  force,  that  it  fell  upon  the 
deck  without  doing  any  injury. 

Commodore  Preble  had  for  some  time  contemplated 
sending  a  fire-ship  into  the  harbour,  in  order  to  destroy 
the  flotilla,  and  injure  the  town.  Captain  Somers  vol 
unteered  his  services.  He,  with  the  assistance  of  lieu 
tenants  Wadsworth  and  Israel,  fitted  out  the  ketch  In 
trepid  for  the  expedition.  One  hundred  barrels  of  gun 
powder  and  one  hundred  and  fifty  shells  were  placed  in 
the  hold.  Fusees  and  combustibles  were  so  applied  as 
not  to  endanger  a  retreat. 

On  the  evening  of  the  4th  of  September,  captain 
Somers  chose  two  fast-rowing  boats,  in  order  to  bring  off* 
the  people,  after  the  vessel  should  be  set  on  fire.  His 
own  boat  was  manned  by  four  men  from  the  Nautilus, 
and  six  from  the  Constitution,  with  lieutenant  Wadi- 
worth.  At  eight  they  parted  from  the  squadron,  and 
stood  into  the  harbour.  They  were  convoyed  bj  tbe 


THE  AMERICAN  NAVY.  91 

Argus,  Vixen,  and  Nautilus,  until  arrived  within  a  short 
distance  from  the  batteries.  On  entering  the  inner  har 
bour,  and  near  the  point  of  her  destination,  the  fire  ship 
was  boarded  and  carried  by  two  galleys  of  one  hundred 
men  each.  At  this  moment  she  exploded  with  the 
most  awful  effect.  Every  battery  was  silenced.  Not  a 
gun  was  fired  during  the  remainder  of  the  night.  There 
is  every  reason  to  suppose  that  captain  Somers,  on  per 
ceiving  no  means  of  escape  left,  and  that  he  should  inev 
itably  be  doomed  to  an  ignominious  captivity,  heroically 
resolved  to  die,  and  with  his  own  hands  set  fire  to  the 
train,  when  himself,  his  companions,  and  the  enemy, 
met  a  common  death. 

After  this,  nothing  material  occurred  until  September 
9th,  when  the  long  expected  squadron,  under  commo 
dore  Barron,  joined  the  one  before  Tripoli.  Here  en 
ded  the  command  of  commodore  Preble,  so  honourable 
to  himself  and  his  country.  All  joined  in  praising  his 
distinguished  merit.  The  Pope  made  a  public  declara- 
ration,  that  "  the  United  States,  though  in  their  infancy, 
had,  in  this  affair,  done  more  to  humble  the  antichris- 
tian  barbarians  on  the  coast,  than  all  the  European 
states  had  done  for  a  long  series  of  time."  Sir  Alexan 
der  Ball,  a  distinguished  commander  in  the  British  navy, 
addressed  commodore  Preble  as  follows  : — "  I  beg  to 
repeat  my  congratulations  on  the  services  you  have  ren 
dered  your  country,  and  the  hair-breadth  escapes  you 
have  had  in  setting  a  distinguished  example.  Your 
bravery  and  enterprise  are  worthy  a  great  and  rising  na 
tion.  If  I  were  to  offer  my  opinion,  it  should  be,  that 
you  have  done  well  not  to  purchase  a  peace  with  the 
enemy.  A  few  brave  men  have  indeed  been  sacrificed  ; 
but  they  could  not  have  fallen  in  a  better  cause  ;  and  I 
even  conceive  it  advisable  to  risk  more  lives  rather  thaa 
submit  to  terms  which  might  encourage  the  Barbary 
states  to  add  fresh  demands  and  insults." 

After  the  junction  of  the  two  squadrons,  commodore 
Preble  obtained  leave  to  return  home.  This  he  did  witk 


92  RISE  AND  PROGRESS  OF 

the  greater  pleasure,  as  it  would  give  the  command  of  a 
frigate  to  captain  Decatur.  On  his  return  to  the  Uni 
ted  States,  he  was  received  and  treated  every  where 
with  that  distinguished  attention,  which  he  had  so  fully 
merited.  Congress  voted  him  their  thanks,  and  reques 
ted  the  President  to  present  him  with  an  emblematical 
medal.* 

While  Commodore  Preble  was  humbling  the  emperor 
of  Morocco,  and  maturing  his  plans  for  the  Tripolitan 
war,  general  William  Eaton,  who  had  resided  as  one  of 
the  American  consuls  up  the  Mediterranean,  and  then  on 
his  passage  home,  conceived  the  plan  of  co-operating 
with  the  naval  force,  by  repairing  to  Egypt,  and  forming 
a  confederacy  with  Hamet  Caramelli ;  and  restoring  him 
to  his  lawful  possessions.  As  soon  as  gen.  Eaton  made 
known  his  plans,  several  marines  volunteered  from  the 
American  squadron  and  joined  him  in  the  adventure. 
He  repaired  to  Alexandria  in  Egypt,  made  known  hi* 
plans  and  views  to  Hamet,  roused  him  from  his  despon 
dency,  and  entered  into  an  agreement  with  him  that 
promised  to  restore  him  to  his  throne.  This  throne 
was  then  possessed  by  Jussuff,  who  had  murdered  hi* 
father,  and  his  eldest  brother,  driven  Hamet  his  youngest 
brother  into  exile,  and  usurped  the  throne. 

Hamet  on  his  part  promised  to  maintain  perpetual 
peace  with  the  United  States,  and  promote,  by  all  pos 
sible  means,  the  mutual  and  reciprocal  interest  of  the 
parties. 

As  soon  as  this  convention  was  signed,  the  parties  pro 
ceeded  to  assemble  an  army,  which  was  soon  effected  ; 
and  they  commenced  their  march  across  the  desert  of 
Barca.  After  traversing  the  desert  about  six  hundred 
miles,  they  arrived  before  Derne,  the  capital  of  a  prov 
ince  of  the  same  name,  belonging  to  the  government  of 
Tripoli,  which  soon  yielded  to  the  arms  of  the  conquer 
ors. 

*Ciark's  Naral  Ili»tory,  vol.  i.  p.  148—163. 


THE  AMERICAN  NAVY.  93 

Alarmed  for  his  own  safety,  the  Bashaw  of  Tripoli 
strengthened  his  defence,  by  augmenting  his  garrison, 
and  calling  into  the  field  an  army  of  twenty  thousand 
Arabs.  Thus  fortified,  he  set  at  defiance  the  army  of 
Eatoa,  and  the  squadron  of  Preble,  by  demanding  the 
sum  of  six  hundred  thousand  dollars,  and  an  annual 
tribute  as  the  conditions  of  peace.  But  these  terms 
were  rejected  with  disdain,  and  the  assailing  squadron 
renewed  the  war. 

Negotiations  in  the  mean  time  were  lingering  and  pro 
gressing,  delaying  and  advancing  in  Tropoli. 

Suffice  it  to  say,  that,  the  sum  of  sixty  thousand 
dollars  was  paid  to  the  Bashaw — thirty  thousand  dollars 
less  than  the  gallant  Prebie,  in  the  midst  of  victory,  had 
offered  ;  and  Jive  hundred  and  forty  thousand  dollars 
less  than  the  insolent  Bashaw,  in  fancied  security,  had 
demanded. 


CHAPTER  VI. 

Causes    that  led  to  the  late  war  with  Great  Britain. 
War  declared. 

Notwithstanding  the  war  of  the  revolution  had  cost 
Great  Britain  more  than  100,000  men,  and  more  than 
100,000,000  sterling ;  compelled  her  to  do  justice  to 
her  colonies,  as  far  as  justice  could  be  done  by  a  fair 
and  honourable  treaty,  yet  she  by  her  folly  had  lost  her 
colonies,  and  felt  the  wound  so  sensibly,  that  she  made 
all  possible  efforts  to  continue  to  embarrass  and  distress 
them.  She  violated  the  7th  article  of  the  treaty  of 
Paris,  1783,  by  withholding  the  western  posts,  on  the 
frontier  ;  encouraged  and  promoted  Indian  wars,  and 
depredations  upon  our  N.  Western  frontier  ;  and  actu- 


94  RISE  AND  PROGRESS  OF 

ally  furnished  officers  and  men,  arms  and  ammunition, 
money  and  other  supplies  for  war.  She  also  excited  the 
Barbary  powers,  upon  the  shores  of  the  Mediterra 
nean  sea,  to  commit  depredations  upon  American  com 
merce  ;  impressed  American  seaman  into  her  service, 
and  compelled  them  to  do  duty  on  board  her  ships  of 
war.  She  by  her  orders  in  council,  commenced  an  un 
precedented  restrictive  system  upon  neutral  commerce, 
and  £by  her  arbitrary  and  despotic  paper  blockades, 
claimed  the  sovereign  control  of  the  ocean  ;  all  which 
not  only  greatly  embarrassed,  but  almost  annihilated 
all  neutral  commerce.  In  addition  to  all  this,  she 
claimed  the  right  of  searching  neutral  vessels,  ai?d  not 
only  impressing  therefrom  American  seamen  ;  but  of 
icizing  and  removing  all  goods,  suspected  of  belonging 
to  an  enemy.  Under  the  mask  of  the  first  of  these  as 
sumed  rights,  the  British  frigate  Leopard  actually  fired 
into  the  American  frigate  Chesapeake  •,  compelled  her  to 
strike  her  colours,  and  took  out  of  her  four  American 
seaman.  This  outrage  caused  great  public  excitement, 
and  led  to  an  immediate  negotiation  •,  but  before  the  af 
fair  could  be  amicably  adjusted,  the  British  sloop  of 
war  Little  Belt,  commenced  an  attack  upon  the  Amer 
ican  frigate  President,  which  was  nobly  repelled  ;  and 
the  Little  Belt  suffered  severely. 

This  renewed  outrage  called  aloud  for  war,  and  the 
government, and  the  nation  were  alive  to  the  issue;. but 
before  war  had  been  declared,  Great  Britain  added  the 
finishing  touch  to  her  hostile  system,  by  exciting  the 
North  Western  Indians  to  actual  hostilities,  and  on  the 
first  of  December  the  President  announced  to  Congress 
the  memorable  battle  of  Tippacanoe,  near  the  Wabash, 
on  the  seventh  of  November,  in  which  the  Americans 
lost  one  hundred  killed,  wounded,  and  missing.  The 
Indians  in  this  action  surprised  Gen.  Harrison,  in  time  of 
peace,  and  notwithstanding  they  were  routed  and  dis 
persed,  their  loss  could  not  be  accurately  ascertained  ; 
but  was  undoubtedly  much  greater  than  that  of  the 
Americans, 


THE  AMERICAN  NAVY.  95 

The  government  and  nation  again  felt  the  shock,  and 
the  President  recommended  to  Congress  an  immediate 
declaration  of  war.  Congress  entered  with  firmness 
and  spirit  into  the  views  and  feelings  of  the  President 
and  nation,  and  on  the  third  of  April  following,  they 
laid  an  embargo  for  ninety  days.  On  the  4th  of  June 
following,  the  House  of  Representatives  passed  a  bill, 
declaring  war  against  Great  Britain  ;  on  the  17th  the 
Senate  sanctioned  the  bill,  on  the  18th  it  was  signed  by 
the  President,  and  on  the  19th  war  was  publicly  de 
clared. 

A  military  spirit  had  been  kindling  in  the  country, 
through  that  portion  of  the  French  Revolution  that  had 
involved  neutral  commerce  and  neutral  rights  in  the 
strife  of  the  belligerant  powers  of  Europe,  and  it  had 
been  foreseen  by  the  nation,  that  it  would  be  difficult, 
if  not  impossible,  for  America  to  avoid  being  involved 
in  the  controversy.  Congress,  by  their  special  acts,  had 
so  far  anticipated  the  event  of  war,  as  to  authorize  the 
President  to  enlist  25,000  men ;  but  the  spirit  of  the 
people  had  not  yet  been  roused  to  the  contest,  and  the 
ranks  were  not  filled.  The  same  acts  also  empowered 
the  President  to  enrol  fifty  thousand  volunteers,  and 
imbody  100,000  militia  ;  but  this  force  also  was  not 
raised  ;  and  had  it  been  called  into  service,  the  want  of 
experienced  officers,  together  with  constitutional  em 
barrassments,  would  have  been  serious,  if  not  insur 
mountable  difficulties  to  have  been  overcome,  before 
any  important  operations  could  have  been  effected. 
Under  these  embarrassments  the  President  commenced 
the  war. 


96  RISE   AND  PROGRESS  OF 

CHAPTER  VI. 

General  Movement  in  the  War9  $-c. 

When  it  was  understood  by  the  government  that  war 
with  Britain  was  inevitable,  general  Hull,   then  at  Ur- 
bana,  state   of  Ohio,  June  1st,  received  orders  to  march 
directly    to    Detroit.      The    General   with   his  brave 
troops  traversed  the  pathless  desert,  then  possessed  by 
numerous  and  powerful  Indian  tribes,  and  arrived   safe 
at  Detroit  early  in  the  month  of  July.     He  commenced 
immediate  preparations  for  the  invasion  of  Upper  Can 
ada  ;  agreeable  to  orders,  on  the   1st  of  August,  crossed 
over  Detroit  river  and  took  possession  of  the  village  of 
Sandwich,  where  he  issued  his  proclamation,  promising 
peaee  and  protection  to  all  such  as  should  make  no  re 
sistance  ;  but  threatening  with  military  vengeance   all 
such  as  should  be  found   in  arms,  particularly  every 
man  found  fighting  by  the  side  of  an  Indian.       Under 
cover  of  this  proclamation,  general  Hull   commenced 
his  operations  ;  the  inhabitants  were  generally  disposed 
to  favour  the  invasion,  and  the  General  preceded  to  in 
vest  fort  Maiden  ;  but  before  the  fortress  could  be  car 
ried,  he  received  intelligence  of  the  capture  of  Michi- 
limackinac  by  the  enemy.     This  was  a   death  blow  to 
the  future  prospects  of  general  Hull,  for  he  at  once 
saw,  that  the  fall  of  this  fortress  would  open  the  North 
Western  frontier,  and  expose  the  whole   Territory  of 
Michigan  to  an  Indian  invasion,  and  even  endanger  the 
safety  of  Detroit.     In  this  state  of  affairs  general  Hull 
had  notice  of  the  arrival  at  the  river  Raisin,  (36  miles 
from  Detroit,)  of  a  company  of  Ohio  volunteers,  under 
captain  Brush,  with  supplies  for  the  army.     He  detach 
ed  immediately  a  company  of  150  men,  under  the  com 
mand  of  Maj.  Van  Home,  to  escort  the  supplies  to  camp. 
Maj.  Van  Home  fell  into  an   Indian  ambush,  near  the 
point  of  destination,  and  lost  about  forty  of  his  party, 


THE  AMERICAN  NAVY.  97 

killed  and  wounded  ;  and  among  the  number  three  of  his 
Captains.  Before  the  news  of  the  disaster  reached 
general  Hull,  he  had  concluded  to  raise  the  siege  of 
Maiden,  and  return  to  Detroit.  On  his  way  to  that  for 
tress,  the  news  of  the  defeat  at  the  Raisin  reached  him, 
and  he  hastened  back  to  Detroit,  leaving  a  strong  de 
tachment  to  protect  his  friends  at  Sandwich.  As  soon 
as  general  Hull  reached  Detroit,  he  detached  Lieut. 
Col.  Miller,  with  about  300  regulars,  and  200  militia, 
to  relieve  the  party  under  captain  Brush,  with  supplies, 
and  escort  them  to  the  fort,  but  the  enemy  had  antici 
pated  this  movement,  and  collected  in  ambush,  a  strong 
force  of  regulars  and  Indians,  to  the  number  of  about 
750,  at  a  place  called  Maguagua,  near  Brownstown. 
The  Indians  were  headed  by  the  noted  chief  TecuiE- 
seh,  and  the  whole  force  was  under  the  command  of 
Maj.  Muir.  On  the  9th  Col.  Miller  fell  into  this  am 
bush,  and  a  sharp  action  ensued  ;  the  British  regulars 
commenced  the  attack  in  front,  and  the  Indians  upon 
both  flanks  ;  but  the  Americans,  regardless  of  the  hor 
rid  yells  of  the  savages,  bravely  repelled  their  attack  ; 
^charged  home  upon  the  British,  and  at  the  point  of  the 
bayonet  drove  them  from  their  covert,  and  pursued 
them  to  Brownstown,  where  they  hastily  embarked,  and 
crossed  over  to  Maiden.  The  loss  of  the  British  regu 
lars  amounted  to  15,  killed,  and  30  or  40  wounded  ;  but 
the  loss  of  the  Indians  was  much  greater;  about  100 
were  found  dead  on  the  field  of  action.  The  sufferings 
of  Col.  Milier  and  his  party  were  so  great  in  this  ac 
tion,  that  he  found  it  necessary  to  abandon  the  object  of 
his  destination  at  the  Raisin,  and  return  the  next  day 
to  Detroit,  agreeable  to  special  orders. 

The  communication  with  the  state  of  Ohio,  (and 
the  United  States  army  at  Detroit  depended  for  provis 
ions  upon  its  heingkept  open,)  was  completely  blocked 
up;  the  provisions  for  the  supply  of  Hull's  army,  under 
a  convoy  of  200  men,  commanded  by  captain  Brush,  of 
the  Ohio  Volunteers,  were  waiting  at  the  River  Raisin, 

9 


95  RISE  AND  PROGRESS  OF 

36  miles  from  Detroit ;  Major  Van  Home  had  been 
despatched  a  day  or  two  before,  with  a  small  command, 
to  the  assistance  of  captain  Brush,  but  was  defeated  and 
driven  back. 

General  Hull  now  saw  it  necessary  to  turn  his  serious 
attention  to  that  point ;  and  to  send  a  force  to  open  this 
communication  which  was  fully  competent  to  the  task, 
both  to  enable  the  supplies  to  pass  unmolested,  and  to 
counteract  the  unfavorable  impressions  made  on  the 
minds  of  the  troops  by  the  defeat  of  Maj.  Van  Home. 

He  accordingly  detached  from  the  army  a  part  of  the 
regular  troops,  the  Michigan  legion  and  some  riflemen, 
and  dragoons  of  the  Ohio  volunteers,  making  in  the 
whole  about  600  men,  under  the  command  of  Lieut. 
Col.  James  Miller,  of  the  4th  regiment  U.  S.  Infantry, 
for  this  object. 

The  4th  regiment,  except  one  company  left  at  Sand 
wich,  to  garrison  a  small  fort,  built  by  order  of  General 
Hull ;  a  small  detachment  of  the  1st  Infantry,  and  a 
small  number  of  Artillerists  from  captain  Dyson's  com' 
pany  stationed  in  fort  Detroit,  formed  the  regular  troopi 
of  the  detachment,  amounting  to  about  300  in  number. 
The  Michigan  legion  consisted  of  about  60  men,  mostly 
native  Frenchmen  of  that  territory,  commanded  by  cap 
tain  De  Cant.  The  cavalry  consisted  of  about  40  dra 
goons  and  mounted  spies,  commanded  by  captain  Sloan, 
of  the  corps  of  Volunteer  Cavalry.  The  riflemen 
amounted  to  about  200,  commanded  by  Major  Morrison, 
of  the  Ohio  volunteers,  making  the  600  men. 

Col.  Miller  obtained  permission  from  General  Hull 
to  take  two  field  pieces  with  the  detachment,  one  six 
pounder  and  one  5  1-2  inch  howitzer,  with  their  appen 
dages  and  ammunition.  The  first  was  manned  by  a 
squadron  of  Artillerists  from  Captain  Dyson's  company, 
detached  from  fort  Detroit,  and  commanded  by  Lieut. 
Jonathan  Eastman  ;  that  corps  and  the  second  wa» 
wanned  by  a  squad  picked  from  the  first  Infantry  (the 
General  refusing  to  detach  from  the  1st  any  more  Ar- 


THE  AMERICAN  NAVY.  99 

tillerists)  and  was  placed  under  the  command  of  Lieut. 
James  Dilliba,  of  the  regiment  of  Artillerists,  then  ser 
ving  as  master  of  ordnance  to  General  Hull's  armj. 
Captain  Brevoort,  of  the  2d  U.  S.  Infantry,  then  com 
manding  the  transports  on  the  lakes  ;  and  Captain 
Abraham  P.  Hull,  of  the  12th  Infantry,  son  and  aid  to 
the  General,  volunteered  their  services  as  aids  de  camp 
to  Col.  Miller.  Lieut.  John  L.  Eastman,  adjutant  of 
the  4th  Infantry,  served  as  brigade  major.  Captain 
Maxwell,  of  the  Ohio  volunteers,  a  revolutionary  offi 
cer,  and  who  had  served  in  the  Indian  war  under  Gen. 
Wayne  and  others,  was  chosen  to  lead  the  spies,  recon 
noitre  the  country  a-head  of  the  detachment,  and  point 
out  the  route  of  march:  he  was  assisted  by  several  vol 
unteer  citizens  from  Detroit,  well  acquainted  with  the 
country. 

The  detachment  having  drawn  two  days'  provisions, 
being  organized,  and  every  thing  prepared  for  the 
march,  was  paraded  in  line  in  order  of  march,  as  to  the 
station  of  corps,  in  the  main  street  in  the  town  of  De 
troit,  on  the  8th  of  August,  1812,  at  5  o'clock  P.  M. 
Col.  Miller  then  rode  to  the  centre,  and  in  front  of  the 
line,  addressed  the  troops  in  the  following  words  :  "Sol 
diers,  we  are  going  to  meet  the  enemy,  and  to  beat 
them !  The  reverses  of  the  5th  must  be  repaired  ! 
The  blood  of  your  brethren,  spilt  by  savage  hands,  on 
that  day,  must  be  avenged  by  their  chastisement  and  by 
the  chastisement  of  the  enemy  who  employs  them,  more 
savage  than  they  !  I  shall  lead  you — 1  trust  that  no  man 
will  disgrace  himself  or  me — every  man  who  is  seen  to 
leave  the  ranks,  to  give  way  or  fall  back  without  or 
ders  shall  instantly  be  put  to  death.  The  officers  are 
hereby  charged  with  the  execution  of  this  order.  My 
brave  soldiers  !  you  have  once  faced  the  enemy  in  a 
hard  conflict,  and  beaten  them,  and  gained  glory  to 
yourselves  and  honor  to  your  country  !  Let  this  oppor 
tunity  be  improved  to  add  another  victory  to  that  of 
Tippacanoe,  and  new  glory  to  that  which  you  gained 


1 00  RISE  AND  PROGRESS  OF 

on  the  Wabash.  Soldiers,  if  there  are  any  now  in  the 
ranks  of  this  detachment,  who  are  afraid  to  meet  the 
enemy,  they  are  now  permitted  to  fall  out  and  stay  be 
hind — "At  which  the  words"  I'll  not  stay,''  ran  through 
the  ranks,  with  a  "  huzza." 

After  which  the  line  was  wheeled  by  sections  to  the 
right  into  ©pen  column,  when  Col.  Miller  took  his  po 
sition  at  the  head,  and  ordered  the  detachment  to 
march.  The  whole  moved  off  in  order  and  in  high 
spirits,  and  discovered  those  ardent  feelings  to  meet  the 
conflict,  which  inspired  a  full  confidence  in  the  remain 
ing  army  and  anxious  citizens,  that  it  would  be  success 
ful. 

The  head  of  the  column  arrived  at  the  river  Rouge, 
six  miles  from  Detroit,  about  sun-set.  There  being  no 
bridge,  and  the  water  very  deep,  the  detachments  were 
conveyed  over  in  scows  ;  there  being  but  two  provided, 
which  would  not  carry  more  than  50  men  each  ;  it  was 
10  o'clock  at  night  before  the  troops,  artillery,  horses 
and  waggons,  were  all  crossed  over.  The  weather  be 
ing  somewhat  rainy  and  very  dark,  it  was  determined 
to  encamp  there  for  the  night.  The  guards  and  piquets 
having  been  stationed,  and  every  arrangement  completed 
for  the  security  of  the  camp;  the  men  were  permitted 
to  lie  down  upon  their  arms  and  rest  till  day  light.  The 
tents  and  all  other  dispensable  baggage,  was  left  at  De 
troit.  The  troops  had  no  other  covering  than  some  rails 
which  they  took  from  the  fences  to  screen  them  from 
the  weather.  Cooks  of  messes  were  directed  to  cook 
the  provisions  during  the  night  so  as  to  be  ready  to 
march  at  day  break.  Accordingly  the  troops  were  pa 
raded,  and  every  thing  prepared  to  move  in  that  order, 
which  appeared  the  best  calculated  to  receive  or  make 
an  attack,  when  and  wherever  the  enemy  might  be  met. 
The  following  is  the  order  in  whidi  the  troops  marched  ; 
Captain  Maxwell,  with  his  mounted  spies  went  a-bead, 
as  a  van  guard,  at  such  a  distance  as  he  judged  prudent. 
An  advanced  guard,  under  Capt.  Snelling,  of  the  fourth 


THE  AMERICAN  NAVY.  101 

Infantry,  of  40  men  of  his  company,  marched  in  line 
of  single  rank,  200  yards  in  advance  of,  and  covering 
the  heads  of  the  columns.  The  musquetry  was  formed 
in  two  columns  of  single  files,  the  regulars  in  front, 
and  marched  by  files  on  the  right  of  columns.  One 
column  on  each  side  of  the  road,  at  200  yards  distance 
from  each  other.  One  commanded  by  Ma;or  Mprjiscn, 
and  the  other  by  Major  Van  Ho/,p,e. .':  Yjf ':tta  Ohio  volun 
teers.  The  Cavalry  under  Captairi  SjQan?,mArc,he.dJn 
the  road,  in  column  of  double  files  by;tjve  rig^1  °^;Cpj- 
umn.  The  head  of  this  column  kept  in  line  with  the 
heads  of  the  columns  of  musquetry  on  the  right  and 
left.  Flank  guards  were  formed  of  riflemen,  and  march 
ed  by  single  files,  headed  by  the  officer  commanding 
each,  parallel  with  the  column  of  musquetry  and  at  the 
distance  of  80  yards  from  them.  A  rear  guard  march 
ed  at  the  distance  of  50  yards  in  rear  of  the  foot  of,  and 
covering  the  columns  of  musquetry.  The  artillery 
moved  in  the  road,  in  the  rear  of  the  cavalry,  and  op 
posite  the  centre  of  the  columns  of  musquetry,  followed 
by  the  ammunition  waggons,  the  waggons  containing  en 
trenching  tools,  hospital  stores,  medicine  chests,  &c.  fol 
lowed  in  succession.  Colonel  Miller  marched  at  the 
head  of  the  column  of  cavalry,  accompained  by  his  aids, 
in  the  road  and  in  a  line  with  the  heads  of  the  columns 
of  musquetry. 

The  method  of  forming  the  line,  of  battle  from  the  or 
der  of  inarch,  was  as  follows  : 

In  case  an  attack  was  made  in  front,  the  advance 
guard  was  to  stand  till  the  columns  of  infantry  and  rifk- 
inen  formed  in  lines  and  marched  upon  it.  The  two 
columns  of  infantry  were  to  form  two  lines  to  the  front ; 
the  front  division  of  each  column  were  to  form  the  first 
line,  and  the  rear  divisions  the  second  line,  which 
brought  the  regular  troops  into  the  first  line.  The  two 
lines  were  to  be  formed  respectively  on  the  centre* 
of  the  divisions  of  columns  which  were  to  compose 
them.  If  the  first  line  should  require  extending,  the 

9* 


102  RISE  AND  PROGRESS  OF 

right  and  left  divisons  of 'the  second  line  were  to 'ad 
vance  and  form  respectively  on  the  right  and  left  flanks 
of  the  first  line.  If  the  first  line  should  not  require 
extending,  the  second  line  was  to  form  a  corps  of  re 
serve.  The  right  and  left  flank  guards  were  to  form 
respectively  on  the  right  and  left  flanks  of  the  front  line. 
The  artillery  and  cnt  afry  were  to  move  to  that  point  by 
order  of  the  eorfu^a'n'der  in  chief,  which  he  should  think 
property  Direct.  The  rear  guard  was  to  protect  the 
\eaggdns  abd  stores',  J  Jf  aft  attack  should  he  made  in 
rear,  the  columns  were  to  form  lines  to  the  rear,  and 
march  upon  the  rear  guard  as  upon  the  front,  and  so  of 
other  corps.  If  an  attack  should  be  made  on  either 
flank,  the  whole  were  to  halt  and  the  columns  face  to 
the  enemy  ;  and  by  so  facing  they  would  already  be 
formed  in  two  lines  ;  and  the  other  corps  would  form  as 
before  directed. 

In  this  order  the  detachment  marched  from  the  en 
campment  near  the  river  Rouge,  on  the  morning  of  the 
9th.  They  proceeded  through  the  White  Settlement, 
which  was  about  five  miles,  and  entered  the  woods. 
The  country,  from  the  river  Rouge  to  Brownstown.  is 
generally  flat,  and  lies  a  little  above  the  surface  of  the 
river  Detroit.  Indian  huts  and  fields  are  interspersed 
through  woods  :  at  that  time  the  fields  were  covered 
with  corn,  which  was  grown  to  7  and  8  feet  high.  The 
first  woods  which  the  troops  entered  was  about  one  mile 
•and  a  half  through. 

When  the  advance  guard  had  arrived  at  the  farther 
edge  of  this  wood,  the  spies  having  advanced  into  the 
-Indian  opening,  were  fired  upon  by  a  party  of  about 
ten  Indians,  who  were  on  horseback,  and  had  concealed 
themselves  behind  the  house  of  the  celebrated  chief. 
Walk-in-thc-water.  The  spies  fell  back:  a  citizen 
from  Detroit,  who  accompanied  them,  was  killed,  and 
fell  from  his  horse.  The  guard  under  captain  Snelling 
advanced  quickly  towards  the  house,  at  sight  of  which, 
the  Indians  fled  without  receiving  much  injury  from  the 


THE  AMERICAN  NAVY.  103 

guard,  who  fired  upon  them  as  they  were  uncovered  by 
the  house,  bearing  away  as  a  trophy,  the  citizen's  scalp 
whom  they  had  shot.  The  facility  with  which  the 
scalp  was  taken,  was  astonishing.  There  appeared  not 
to  have  been  time  for  the  Indian  to  have  reached  the 
spot  where  the  man  fell,  before  the  guard  arrived  upon 
the  same  spot,  when  the  scalp  had  been  taken  off,  and 
the  Indian  fled.  When  the  firing  was  heard  by  the  col 
umns,  the  order  was  given  by  Colonel  Miller  to  "form 
the  line  of  battle,"  which  soon  ran  through  the  detach 
ment,  and  was  executed  promptly  ;  but  as  the  Indians 
had  fled,  the  firing  ceased,  and  all  was  silent  for  a  few 
moments.  The  spies  were  again  sent  forward,  but 
soon  returned,  and  reported  that  no  enemy  could  be 
discovered.  The  troops  were  again  formed  in  the  or- 
der  of  march  and  moved  forward  as  before.  The 
firmness  with  which  Colonel  Miller  conducted  during 
this  alarm,  and  his  presence  of  mind,  gave  the  army 
fresh  courage,  and  increased  their  confidence  in  their 
commander:  as  also,  the  promptness  and  order  with 
which  the  line  of  battle  was  formed,  gave  him  recipro 
cal  confidence  in  his  troops  ;  for  every  one  believed  that 
the  enemy  had  met  them  in  force.  This  happened 
about  9  o'clock  A.  M.  The  march  was  continued  un 
til  12,  without  much  further  interruption.  Some  flying 
Indians  were  discovered  now  and  then,  who  had  been 
sent  out  by  the  enemy  to  watch  the  movements  of 
the  Americans,  and  to  give  information  of  their  ap 
proach  towards  Brownstown  ;  where  the  enemy,  as  ap 
peared  afterwards,  then  lay  in  ambush  to  receive  them. 
He  had  crossed  over  from  Maiden,  and  taken  that  posi 
tion,  on  the  night  of  the  7th,  the  time  the  American  de 
tachment  crossed  from  Sandwich  to  Detroit ;  which 
clearly  proved  that  he  had  intelligence  of  the  move 
ment  and  object  of  Colonel  Miller  :  for  all  the  Indians, 
and  their  allies,  had  recrossed  to  Maiden,  after  the  de 
feat  of  Major  Van  Home,  to  celebrate  the  victor)'  and 
present  the  American  scalps  to  the  commanding  officer 
of  that  fort. 


104  RISE  AND  PROGRESS  OF 

The  position  which  the  enemy  had  chosen,  lay  in  an 
open  oak  wood,  just  at  the  declivity  of  a  rising  ground, 
over  which  the  Americans  had  to  pass.  He  had 
thrown  up  breastworks  of  trees,  logs,  &c.  behind  which 
he  lay  concealed  in  force,  and  in  order  of  battle.  His 
works  were  thrown  up  in  form  of  a  courtine  with  two 
flanks.  The  line  of  the  courtine  lay  across  the  road 
and  perpendicularly  to  it.  The  banks  formed  an  angle 
with  the  courtine  of  about  120.  The  courtine  was 
lined  with  British  regular  troops,  two  deep,  of  the  41st 
regiment  of  foot,  under  the  command  of  Major  Muer, 
of  that  regiment,  who  had  long  been  in  command  at 
Maiden.  The  flank  of  the  courtine,  on  the  enemy's 
right,  and  American  left,  was  lined  with  Canadian  mili 
tia  and  Indians,  commanded  by  Walkin  the-water  and 
Marport.  This  line  was  flanked  by  the  river  Detroit. 
Most  of  the  militia  were  dressed  and  painted  like  their 
"  brethren  in  arms,"  the  savages.  The  left  flank  of 
the  courtine  was  lined  entirely  by  savages,  under  the 
command  of  the  celebrated  Indian  warrior  Tecurnseh, 
of  the  Shawanoese  nation.  The  number  of  the  Brit 
ish  regulars  and  militia  amounted  to  about  300:  about 
200  regulars.  The  Indians  amounted  to  450;  mak 
ing  the  enemy's  force  about  750  men. 

The  position  and  strength  of  the  enemy  were  entire 
ly  unknown  to  Colonel  Miller  and  to  the  army,  at  thii 
time. 

At  12  o'clock,  meridian,  the  detachment  arrived  at  a 
large  opening  which  contained  4  or  5  Indian  houses, 
gardens  and  orchards.  The  army  halted  to  take  some 
refreshment,  and  to  bury  the  man  who  had  been  kill 
ed  ;  where  they  lay  about  one  hour.  The  village  wa* 
deserted,  and  nothing  left  in  the  houses  of  conse 
quence. 

rrhe  march  was  again  resumed  at  J  o'clock  P.  M. 
and  continued  without  interruption.  The  troopt 
marched  over  the  ground  on  which  Major  Van  Home 
Lad  been  defeated  four  days  before ;  and  pas§ed  tti« 


THE  AMERICAN  NAVY.  105 

dead  bodies  of  several  of  the  slain,  and  some  dead 
horses.  The  body  of  captain  M'Culloch  lay  under  an 
Indian  bark.  The  columns  having  arrived  at  the  oak 
woods  near  Brownstown,  at  half  past  three,  some 
guns  were  heard  a-head  by  them.  In  a  few  seconds  a 
volley  was  heard  from  captain  Snelling's  advance  guard, 
and  another  instantly  returned  from  a  great  number  of 
pieces.  The  troops,  by  this  time  completely  awake, 
were  ordered  to  halt.  Colonel  Miller  rode  towards  the 
centre  at  full  speed,  halted,  and  with  a  firm  voice,  or 
dered  the  columns  to  "  form  the  line  of  battle,'5  which 
was  executed  with  that  order,  promptness  and  zeal, 
which  he  had  expected :  after  the  first  vollies,  the 
tiring  became  incessant  in  front.  Captain  Snelling 
stood  his  ground  till  the  lines  were  formed,  and  moved 
to  his  relief.  He  stood  within  pistol  shot  of  the  ene 
my's  breastworks,  in  a  shower  of  balls  from  the  regu 
lar  troops  in  his  front,  who  shewed  themselves  after  the 
first  fire,  and  set  up  the  Indian  yell.  When  the  first 
line  appeared  before  the  breastwork,  they  received  the 
fire  of  the  whole  front  and  a  part  of  the  flanks :  at  this 
instant  Colonel  Miller  discovered  that  the  enemy  out 
flanked  him,  when  the  second  line  and  flank  guards 
were  brought  upon  the  flanks  of  the  front  line,  and  ex 
tended  to  meet  the  whole  line  of  the  enemv.  The  sav 
ages,  in  unison  with  the  British  troops,  set  up  a  horrid 
yell,  and  a  severe  conflict  ensued.  The  incessant  firing 
in  the  centre  ran  diverging  to  the  flanks :  from  the 
cracking  of  individual  pieces,  it  changed  to  alternate 
vollies ;  and  at  length  to  one  continued  sound :  and, 
while  every  thing  seemed  hushed  amidst  the  wavering 
roll,  the  discharge  of  the  six  pounder  burst  upon  the 
^ar.  The  Americans  stood  ! — At  this  instant  Colonel 
Miller  was  thrown  from  his  horse  which  took  fright  at 
the  discharge  of  the  artillery  ;  he  was  supposed  to  be 
shot,  those  near  him  flew  to  his  aid.  The  savages  who 
saw  him  fall  sprang  over  the  breastwork  to  take  his 
scalp,  but  were  driven  back.  Colonel  Miller  instantly 


106  RISE  AND  PROGRESS  OF 

remounted  and  returned  to  continue  his  orders.  The 
lire  from  the  Indians  who  were  screened  by  their  breast 
works,  was  deadly.  The  soldiers  saw  the  advantage  it 
gave  them,  and  Colonel  Miller,  throwing  his  eye  along 
the  line,  discovered  one  or  two,  edging  to  place  them 
selves  behind  a  tree.  He  saw  the  instant  must  be  im 
proved,  and  ordered  "charge  I"  which  instantly  ran 
through  the  line  :  the  men  whom  he  saw  edging,  with 
every  other,  brought  down  their  pieces,  struck  up  a  huz 
za  !  and  marched  directly  into  the  breastworks.  The 
effect  of  the  grape  from  the  six-pounder,  and  the  ap 
proach  of  the  bayonet,  caused  the  British  line  to  yield, 
and  then  to  break,  and  the  troops  fled  in  disorder !  at 
nearly  the  same  instant  the  Indians  and  militia  on  their 
right  flank,  being  charged  in  their  works,  by  the  Michi 
gan  legion,  under  Captain  De  Cant,  and  a  part  of  the 
Ohio  riflemen,  turning  this  flank  by  the  river,  fled  in 
confusion.  Tecurnseh,  on  the  enemy's  left  flank,  stood 
longer ;  some  of  the  Indians  under  his  command,  near 
the  extremity  of  the  line,  had  jumped  over  the  breast 
works,  in  the  full  assurance  of  victory  :  they  were  driv 
en  back,  by  the  point  of  the  bayonet.  Tecumseh  en 
deavored  to  outflank  the  American  line,  and  turn  their 
right ;  but  from  the  skill  and  gallantry  of  the  officers, 
and  firmness  of  the  men  on  that  flank,  he  was  foiled  in 
every  attempt,  and  was  finally  forced  to  fall  back,  and 
take  new  positions,  and  fight  on  the  retreat.  The  British 
and  Indians  on  their  right  flank,  fled  directly  down  the 
river,  and  were  pursued  by  Colonel  Miller,  with  that 
part  of  his  troops  which  had  opposed  them  ;  and  Te 
cumseh,  with  his  Indians,  fled  directly  from  the  river, 
westwardly.  into  the  wilderness,  and  were  pursued  by 
that  part  of  the  troops  which  had  opposed  them,  over 
taking  them  who  were  wounded,  and  otherwise  unable 
to  escape. 

After  the  British  had  retreated  about  one  mile,  they 
came  into  an  opening,  of  about  half  a  mile  in  diame 
ter  ;  here  they  endeavoured  to  form  again,  but  on  the 


THE  AMERICAN  NAVY.  J07 

precipitate  approach  of  the  Americans,  they  again  broke 
and  fled  into  the  woods  down  the  river.  They  were 
pursued  to  the  edge  of  these  woods,  when  Colonel  Mil 
ler  received  information  from  Major  Van  Home,  whom 
he  had  left  in  command  of  the  right  flank,  that  Tecum- 
seh  had  retreated  westwardly,  that  he  successively  took 
new  positions  with  his  Indians,  that  they  were  still  fight 
ing,  and  that  it  was  still  doubtful  how  the  conflict  would 
finally  terminate  in  that  quarter.  On  the  receipt  of  this 
information,  Colonel  Miller  ordered  the  troops  under 
his  immediate  command,  to  halt,  and  form  the  line,  fie 
informed  the  officers,  that  it  would  not  do  to  pursue  the 
enemy  any  farther,  until  he  had  heard  again  from  the 
right  flank.  That  as  Tecumseh  had  retreated  in  anoth 
er  direction,  the  army  was  now  divided,  and  the  two 
divisions,  already  out  of  hearing  of  each  other's  mus- 
quetry.  That  if  Tecumseh  was  likely  to  overpower 
that  division,  he  must  send  back  a  reinforcement  to 
their  relief,  or  the  Indians  would  otherwise  immediate 
ly  advance  upon  the  field  of  battle,  arid  massacre  the 
wounded,  destroy  the  rear  guard,  and  take  the  ammuni 
tion  and  stores  ;  and  finally  fall  upon  his  rear. 

Information  was  at  length  brought  that  Tecumseh 
had  finally  fled,  and  that  the  troops  were  returning  to 
join  that  division  as  soon  as  possible. 

Colonel  Miller  immediately  ordered  the  troops  to 
march  in  further  pursuit  of  the  British.  They  entered 
the  woods  and  the  cavalry  moved  a-head  at  full  speed. 
When  they  arrived  through  these  woods,  which  was 
about  half  a  mile,  they  came  upon  the  befuch  of  Lake 
Erie,  and  discovered  the  enemy  all  in  boats,  steering  to 
wards  Maiden,  and  out  of  reach  of  their  shot.  Ther 
had  concealed  their  boats  at  this  point,  when  they  came 
over,  for  this  purpose,  if  they  should  be  defeated.  Thii 
circumstance,  however,  could  not  have  been  known  to 
Colonel  Miller  before.  He  now  ordered  the  troops  to 
return  upon  the  field  from  whence  they  had  last  march 
ed,  which  was  done ;  and  on  their  arrival,  they  were 


103  RI5E  AND  PROGRESS  OF 

joined  by  the  other  division  which  had  returned  from 
the  pursuit  of  Tecumseh  and  his  Indians. 

The  cause  is  now  shewn,  which  has  not  heen  gener 
ally  understood  heretofore,  why  the  British  were  not 
all  captured,  when  they  had  been  so  totally  defeated.  , 

The  troops  were  then  formed  in  line,  fronting  the 
field  of  battle  ;  when  Colonel  Miller  rode  in  front  of 
the  centre,  and  addressed  them  in  the  following  words  : 

"  My  brave  fellows  !  you  have  done  well !  every  man 
has  done  his  duty.  I  give  you  my  hearty  thanks  for 
your  conduct  on  this  day  ;  you  have  gained  my  highest 
esteem  ;  you  have  gained  fresh  honor  to  yourselves,  and 
to  the  American  arms  :  your  fellow  soldiers  in  arms  will 
love  you,  and  your  country  will  reward  you.  You  will 
return  to  the  field  of  battle  to  collect  those  who  have 
gloriously  fallen ;  your  friendly  attentions  to  your 
wounded  companions  is  required."  After  which,  de 
tachments  were  sent  out  with  waggons  to  search  the 
woods,  and  collect  all  the  wounded  and  dead,  and  to 
bring  them  to  the  ground  then  occupied  by  the  troops. 
After  this  was  completed,  all  the  Indian  houses  were 
prepared,  amounting  to  3  or  4,  and  the  wounded  moved 
into  them,  as  it  began  to  rain,  and  the  surgeons  were  in 
dustriously  employed  with  them,  during  the  whole  night. 
The  troops  then  encamped  in  order  of  battle,  about 
dusk,  on  the  bank  of  the  river,  fronting  the  woods,  form 
ing  three  sides  of  a  parallelogram,  the  river  forming  the 
other  side. 

The  time  from  the  attack  on  the  van  guard,  to  the 
time  of  forming  the  line  on  the  Indian  fields,  after  the 
pursuit  was  finally  ended,  was  two  and  a  half  hours. 
During  this  sharp  conflict,  the  conduct  of  each  individ 
ual  officer  and  soldier  was  so  uniformly  and  strictly 
military,  that  the  commander  was  scarcely  able  to  make 
distinctions  in  his  brief  and  modest  official  report  to 
General  Hull.  The  physical  powers  of  almost  every 
man,  were  called  to  action,  and  severely  tried.  The 
names  of  some  ofliccrs  only,  will  be  mentioned,  whose 


THE  AMERICAN  NAVY  109 

Conduct  was,  from  concomitant  circumstances,  most 
deeply  impressed  on  the  mind  of  the  writer.  In  doing 
this,  however,  he  wishes  to  be  distinctly  understood,  that 
the  conduct  of  many  others,  was  equally  meritorious. 
As  he  writes  entirely  from  recollection,  the  impossibili 
ty  at  this  time,  of  giving  the  names,  and  much  more,  the 
actions  of  every  individual,  will  readily  be  conceived. 
Major  Van  Home,  who  had  the  mortification  to  be  de 
feated  on  nearly  the  same  ground,  on  the  5th,  had  sought 
and  obtained  a  command  under  Colonel  Miller.  He 
behaved  during  the  whole  action,  in  a  gallant  and  sol 
dierly  manner.  Major  Morrison,  of  the  Ohio  volun 
teers,  also  obtained  a  command  in  the  detachment,  of 
whose  meritorious  conduct,  Colonel  Miller  always  spoke 
with  the  greatest  warmth  of  feeling  ;  his  horse  was  shot 
under  him  at  nearly  the  same  time  Colonel  Miller  was 
dismounted,  being  at  that  moment  near  together.  Lieu 
tenant  Johnson,  of  the  Michigan  dragoons,  (a  small 
number  of  which  corps,  formed  a  part  of  the  cavalry,) 


behaved  in  a  most  gallant   rnanner-^he  had  his  horse 

nrmpt  the  ct 
cd,  being  near  Colonel  Mille^pe  discovered  one  of  his 


fhot  under  him.     At  the  monyint  the  charge  was  order- 


men  shrink  from  the  attack,  at  which  he  presented  his 
pistol  to  his  breast  and  was  on  the  point  of  blowing  him 
through,  when  Colonel  Miller  desired  him  not  to  kill 
him,  as  he  considered  the  battle  was  going  in  their  favor. 
Captain  De  Cant,  and  his  Ensign  M'Comb,  of  the  Michi 
gan  legion,  behaved  in  a  manner,  which  would  have 
done  honor  to  veterans,  particularly,  when  charging  the 
Indians  in  their  works,  on  the  river  flank  ;  Captain  De 
Cant  was  the  first  man,  who  jumped  the  breast  work  at 
that  point,  thereby  encouraging  his  men  to  follow  him. 
Captain  Brown  of  the  Ohio  volunteers,  who  was  ou  the 
flank  opposed  to  Tecumseh,  with  his  company,  fought 
liard  and  stubborn  ;  his  conduct  was  admired  by  Colonel 
Miller — as  was  the  conduct  of  all  the  volunteers,  both 
officers  and  men  on  that  flank.  Captain  Daniel  Baker, 
of  the  first  regiment  U.  S.  Infantry,  had  requested  and 
10 


1  10  RISE  AND  PROGRESS  OF 

obtained  a  command  ;  he  was  on  the  flank  opposed  to 
the  Indians  under  Tecumseh.  His  gallantry,  and  the 
effect  of  his  experience,  contributed  greatly  to  the  foil 
ing  of  Tecumseh,  in  his  maneuvering  to  turn  that  flank 
of  the  American  line.  He  was  shot  through  the  thigh, 
in  the  warmest  part  of  the  engagement,  but  did  not  quit 
his  command,  till  the  enemy  finally  fled,  nor  the  ground 
until  the  wounded  were  all  brought  off.  Lieutenant 
Eastman,  with  the  six  pounder,  did  good  execution,  and 
contributed  greatly  to  the  defeat  of  the  British  troops. 
The  fourth  regiment  behaved  generally  in  that  chival 
rous  manner,  which  ought  to  render  the  individuals  then 
composing  it,  the  objects  of  their  country's  warmest  af 
fections  and  unceasing  patronage. 

These  sentiments,  it  is  believed,  must  be  acknowl 
edged  by  all  those  who  are  acquainted  with  their  con 
duct,  fatigues,  and  hardships,  during  this,  and  the  pre 
ceding;  campaign  on  the  Wabash.  They  had  been  for 
eighteen  months,  almost  continually  traversing  those 
wild  regions  of  thadnorth  west,  where  perils  and  dangers 
awaited  them  through  ornery  succeeding  day  and  night, 
where  they  were  nece^prily  deprived  of  almost  all  the 
enjoyments  and  comforts  of  life,  and  during  some  por 
tion  of  the  time,  of  the  necessary  means  of  subsistence. 
They  had  marched  during  successive  weeks,  in  mud  and 
water,  and  during  successive  days,  without  having  dried 
their  feet.  They  had  now  fought  during  this  time,  two 
of  the  severest  battles  that  had  ever  been  fought  under 
the  government  of  the  United  States,  larger  numbers  had 
been  engaged,  b^ut  an  equal  number  had  never  fought 
more  desperate  y.  These  battles  were  as  much  more 
perilous  than  usual,  as  the  enemy  were  more  terrible  : 
capture  was  massacre,  and  defeat  was  annihilation. 

The  conduct  of  Colonel  Miller,  it  is  believed,  will  be 
correctly  appreciated  from  the  foregoing  narrative  of 
facts,  by  his  countrymen.  Encomium  would  be  insipid. 
Captain  Snelling,  of  the  advance  guard,  behaved  in  that 
heroic  manner  that  can  never  be  excelled  :  of  his  com- 


THE  AMERICAN  NAVY.  1 1 1 

mand  of  forty  men,  more  than  twenty  were  killed  and. 
wounded.  In  the  retreat  of  the  enemy,  he  pursued  on 
horseback  (the  remnant  of  his  guard  falling  into  the 
line,)  bare-headed,  having  lost  his  hat  in  the  engage 
ment.  It  is  believed  it  was  shot  away.  Captains  Fuller 
and  Burton  ;  Lieutenants  Peters,  Hawkins,  Way,  East 
man,  Ager,  Peckham  and  Larabee,  of  the  fourth,  all  con 
ducted  in  the  most  gallant  manner  ;  as  also  did  Captain 
Whistler,  junior  ;  Lieutenant  Stansbury,  Ensigns  Whist 
ler,  M'Cabe,  Cibley  and  Phillips,  of  the  first  U.  S.  regi 
ment  of  infantry,  who  served  in  the  fourth  on  that  tour. 

Lieutenant  Peters  was  wounded  in  the  early  part  of 
the  engagement,  having  been  shot  through  the  leg,  the 
same,  and  a  little  below  that,  which  had  been  shot 
through  at  the  battle  of  Tippacanoe  :  Ensign  Whistler 
was  also  wounded.  Capt.  Brevoort,  aid  to  Col.  Miller, 
behaved  with  that  cool  and  daring  intrepidity,  which 
gained  him  the  admiration  of  the  army. 

Capt.  Hull  was  active,  and  very  useful  in  carrying  the 
orders  of  Colonel  Miller.  Lieutenant  Charles  Larabee 
of  the  fourth,  was  also  wounded  ;  he  was  shot  through 
the  left  arm,  little  below  the  shoulder,  the  bone  of  which 
was  broken  and  split,  and  which  was  amputated  a  few 
days  afterwards.  On  his  falling  to  the  rear,  which  he 
was  persuaded  to  do,  he  found  the  officer  and  squad  with 
the  howitzer  in  difficulty.  The  position  of  this  piece  on 
the  march,  being  in  rear  of  the  six  pounder,  and  its  am 
munition  waggon,  and  considerably  in  the  rear  of  the  cen 
tre  of  the  columns,  when  the  attack  was  made  in  front, 
it  had  not  ascended  the  rising  ground  on  which  the  lines 
formed.  The  enemy  not  being  seen  from  that  posi 
tion,  and  their  situation,  and  the  nature  of  the  attack, 
being  unknown  ;  the  piece  was  unlimbered  and  pre 
pared  for  action  and  awaited  the  orders  of  the  comman 
der  in  chief,  agreeably  to  his  instructions.  Orders  soon 
came  by  an  aid,  Captain  Hull,  to  advance  the  piece  to 
the  front,  in  line  with  the  infantry  ;  in  consequence  of 
having  to  ascend  the  rising  ground,  the  soil  being  soft, 


1 1  2  RISE  AND  PROGRESS  OF 

and  the  road  somewhat  obstructed  by  logs  and  roots,  it 
was  necessary  again  to  limber  the  piece,  in  order  to  ad 
vance  it  to  its  intended  position.  At  this  moment,  the 
horses  being  frightened  by  the  firing,  grew  frantic  and 
unmanageable,. and  in  endeavoring  to  bring  the  limbers 
to  the  piece,  they  were  run  against  a  tree,  and  so  twisted 
around  it  as  to  break  them  down.  They  were  thrown 
aside,  and  an  attempt  made  to  advance  the  piece  to  the 
front  by  the  men,  with  their  drag  ropes.  In  conse 
quence  of  the  obstructions  before  mentioned,  the  men 
with  all  their  exertions,  were  able  to  advance  it  but 
slowly  up  the  rising,  with  the  officer  at  the  drag  ropes.. 
In  this  situation,  tugging  up  the  hill,  Lieutenant  Lara- 
bee  met  them,  when  he  saw  their  trouble,  forgetting 
that  he  was  hurt,  he  sprang  to  the  piece,  clinched  the 
drag  rope  with  his  right  hand,  and  with  the  greatest  en 
thusiasm  of  feeling  and  language,  he  assisted  in  bringing 
the  piece  to  the  front,  with  his  left  arm  swinging  from 
its  shattered  point,  when  he  again  returned  to  the  rear. 
This  misfortune  of  the  howitzer,  deprived  Colonel  Mil 
ler  of  its  use,  during  the  time  the  British  troops  stood 
their  ground.  It  could  not  be  brought  in  front  of  the 
line  so  as  to  fire  on  the  enemy,  without  injuring  the 
Americans,  till  the  moment  the  enemy's  line  broke,  as 
there  were  but  ten  men  attached  to  it.  That  number 
being  its  complement  in  action  only,  could  not  advance 
it,  under  those  circumstances,  in  time.  The  conduct  of 
the  officer  commanding  the  piece,  however,  was  ap 
plauded,  and  his  misfortune  solaced  by  Colonel  Miller. 
In  this  action  eighteen  Americans  were  killed,  and  sixty 
three  wounded,  making  in  killed  and  wounded,  eighty- 
one  ;  about  one  man  in  seven  who  were  engaged  :  not 
one  man  was  captured.  The  loss  of  the  enemy  was 
ascertained  to  be,  of  Indians  killed  and  wounded,  one 
hundred  and  two,  more  than  one  half  of  that  number 
were  left  dead  on  the  field,  and  believed  to  be  from  the 
best  information,  of  whites,  fifty -eight,  total,  one  hun 
dred  and  sixty  :  a  few  whites  were  taken  prisoners* 


THE  AMERICAN  NAVY.  US 

The  British  had  brought  over  horses  and  sleds  to  cany 
oiF  their  killed  and  wounded,  and  consequently  they 
were  mostly  taken  to  Maiden.  The  writer  believes  the 
above  stated  number  of  killed  and  wounded,  of  the 
white  enemy,  to  be  too  small,  as  he  saw  in  tbe  hospitals 
at  Maiden,  a  few  weeks  afterwards,  while  a  prisoner  of 
war,  and  on  his  way  to  Quebec,  a  great  number  of  con 
valescent  men,  many  had  died  :  among  whom  were  one 
or  two  officers  of  the  41st  regiment.  He  also  ascer 
tained  that  Major  Muer,  Tecumseh,  Blue  Jacket,  and 
other  commanders,  were  wounded. 

Some  time  in  the  evening  of  the  ninth,  Captain  Max 
well  returned  with  his  spies,  having  been  sent  forward 
to  the  village  of  Brownstown,  and  reported,  that  the 
village  was  abandoned,  and  that  no  enemy  could  be  dis 
covered.  Early  next  morning,  August  10th,  detach 
ments  were  sent  out  by  Colonel  Miller,  to  scour  the 
woods  in  search  of  one  man  who  was  ascertained  to  be 
still  missing  ;  he  was  however,  found  dead.  While  the 
men  were  ranging  over  the  woods,  one  of  them  was  shot 
dead.  The  smoke  of  a  piece  was  dicovered  at  a  dis 
tance,  rising  from  the  ground,  by  the  party — they  ap 
proached  the  spot,  and  beheld  an  Indian  lying  on  the 
ground  wounded,  and  unable  to  stand — one  arm  and 
one  leg  were  broken — he  had  lain  there  during  the  night 
by  his  piece,  which  was  loaded  when  he  felK  The 
cool  deliberation  with  which  he  died,  proved  the  na 
tive  fortitude  of  the  savage  to  meet  death  when  resis 
tance  i&  useless.  Unwilling  to  endure  his  pains  longer, 
and  die  by  degrees,  he  determined  to  die  by  the  hand  of 
his  enemies,  and  to  sell  his  life  to  them,  as  dear  as  possi 
ble.  He  summoned  together  the  little  strength  which 
remained,  and  so  steadily  levelled  his  rifle  at  the  ap 
proaching  Amerfcan,  as  to  put  the  ball  through -his 
heart. 

A  singular  occurrence  happened  also,  as  to  the  death 
of  an  Indian  who  was  killed  the  day  before,  during  the 
battle,  and  near  the  close  of  it  : — An   officer  of  the- 
10* 


1 14  RISE  AND  PROGRESS  OF 

fourth  regiment  had  observed  two  or  three  balls  strike 
close  to  him,  and  apparently  from  a  quarter  where  no 
enemy  could  be  discovered,  he  told  one  of  his  men  to 
search  for  the  Indian  whom  he  supposed  concealed,  and 
on  watching  for  the  discharge,  he  discovered  it  to  be 
overhead — he  looked  into  the  top  of  a  tree,  and  saw  an 
Indian  loading  his  rifle,  he  took  a  position  to  fire  at  the 
savage,  who  discovered  it,  and  made  ready  to  fire  at  the 
soldier,  but  the  soldier  being  a  little  too  quick  for  him, 
put  a  ball  through  him,  and  he  came  tumbling  down 
from  the  tree  like  a  bear. 

The  dead  being  all  collected  on  the  tenth,  about  10 
o'clock  A.  M.  were  buried  under  an  Indian  house,  in 
one  grave,  and  the  house  burned  down,  to  conceal  from 
the  savages  the  spot  where  they  lay. 

At  sun  rise  the  march  was  resumed,  and  at  12 
o'clock  on  the  12th  of  August,  the  detachment  re-enter 
ed  the  town  of  Detroit,  covered  with  mud,  from  foot  to 
head,  their  clothes  not  having  been  dried  in  two  and  a 
half  days.  The  sun  now  cheered  them  with  its  influ 
ence,  they  marched  through  the  street  to  the  encamp 
ment,  to  the  tune  of  the  soldier's  return,  and  closed 
withyankee  doodle.  They  were  met  by  their  brother 
soldiers  and  citizens,  with  all  that  sympathy  and  heart 
felt  joy,  which  constitutes  the  soldier's  reward,  for  his 
'hard  earned  victory. 

About  the  same  time  Capt.  Heald,  who  had  aban 
doned  Fort  Chicago,  agreeable  to  orders,  fell  into  an 
Indian  ambush,  on  his  way  to  Detroit,  and  suffered  the 
loss  of  his  whole  party,  either  killed,  wounded,  or  ta 
ken,  and  the  survivors  were  carried  to  Michilimackinac. 
On  the  14th  Gen.  Hull  made  one  more  attempt  to  re 
lieve  Capt.  Brush  at  the  Raisin,  and  escort  the  supplies 
to  Detroit,  he  accordingly  Detached  Colonels  Cass,  and 
M'Authur  with  3  or  400  men  ;  but  before  this  could  be 
effected,  the  British  invested  the  fortress  of  Detroit, 
and  on  the  16th  Gen.  Hull  signed  an  unconditional 
capitulation,  and  the  fortress  of  Detroit,  the  whole 


THE  AMERICAN  NAVY.  H5 

Michigan  Territory,  together  with  the  detachment  of 
McAuthur  and  Cass,  and  the  party  and  supplies,  at  the 
Raisin,  under  captain  Brush,  were  all  given  up  to  the 
enemy.  The  former  fell  into  their  hands  ;  but  the  lat 
ter,  disdaining  the  pusillanimity  of  Hull,  and  calling  in 
question  his  powers  to  involve  him  and  his  party  in  the 
fate  of  the  garrison,  abandoned  his  stores,  and  return 
ed,  with  his  brave  troops,  to  Ohio. 


SURRENDER  OF  HULL'S  ARMY. 

« 

Head  Quarters,  Detroit,  August  26,  1812. 
GENERAL  ORDERS. 

It  is  with  pain  and  anxiety,  that  Brig.  General  Hull 
announces  to  the  North  West  Army,  that  he  has  been 
compelled  from  a  sense  of  duty,  to  agree  to  the  follow 
ing  articles  of  Capitulation. 

Camp  at  Detroit,  Aug.   16,   1812. 

Capitulation  for  the  surrender  of  Fort  Detroit,  en 
tered  into  between  Major  General  Brock,  commanding 
His  Britannic  Majesty's  forces,  on  the  one  part,  and 
Brig.  Gen.  Hull,  commanding  the  N.  Western  Army 
of  the  United  States,  on  the  other  part. 

1st.  Fort  Detroit,  with  all  the  troops,  regulars  as 
well  as  milita,  will  be  immediately  surrendered  to  the 
British  forces  under  the  command  of  Major  General 
Brock,  and  will  be  considered  as  prisoners  of  war, 
with  the  exception  of  such  of  the  militia  of  Michigan 
Territory  as  have  not  joined  the  army. 

2nrf.  All  the  public  stores,  arms,  and  all  public  docu 
ments,  including  every  thing  of  a  public  nature,  will 
be  immediately  given  up. 

3d.  Private  persons  and  property  of  every  descrip 
tion,  will  be  respected. 


H6  RISE  AND  PROGRESS  OF 

~  4th.  His  Excellency  Brig.  General  Hull,  having  ex 
pressed  a  desire  that  a  detachment  from  the  state  of 
Ohio,  on  its  way  to  join  his  army,  as  well  as  one  sent 
from  Fort  Detroit,  under  the  command  of  Colonel 
M'Arthur,  should  be  included  in  the  above  capitula 
tion,  it  is  accordingly  agreed  to  ;  it  is  however  to  be 
understood,  that  such  part  of  the  Ohio  Militia,  as  have 
not  joined  the  army,  will  be  permitted  to  return  to  their 
homes,  on  condition  that  they  will  not  serve  during  the 
war  ;  their  arms,  however,  will  be  delivered  up,  if  be 
longing  to  the  public. 

Sth.  The  garrison  will  march  out  at  the  hour  of  1  2 
o'clock  this  day,  and  the  British  forces  will  take  imme 
diate  possession  of  the  fort. 

J.  M'DONEL,  Lt.  Col.  Militia,  P.  A.  D.  C. 

J.  B.  GLEGG,  Major,  A.  D.  D. 

JAS.  MILLER,  Lt.  Col.  5th  U.  S.  Infantry. 

E.  BRUSH,  Col.  1st.  Regt  Michigan  Militia. 

APPROVED. 

W.  HULL,  Brig.  Gen.  Comdg.  U.  S.  Army. 
ISAAC  BROCK,  Major  General. 
Gen.  Brock  took  possession  of  Detroit,  and  sent  Gen, 
Hull  with  his   regulars  down  to  Quebec ;  but  sent  to 
their  homes  upon  parole,  the  militia  and  volunteers. 
From  General  Brock  to  Sir  George  Prevost — dated  De 
troit,  1 6th  August,  1812. 

SIR,  I  hasten  to  apprise  your  excellency  of  the  cap 
ture  of  this  very  important  post;  2500  troops  have 
this  day  surrendered  prisoners  of  war,  and  about  25 
pieces  of  ordnance  have  been  taken  without  the  sacri 
fice  of  a  drop  of  British  blood.  I  had  not  mare  than 
700  troops  including  militia,  and  about  600  Indians,  to 
accomplish  this  service.  When  I  detail  my  good  for 
tune,  your  Excellency  will  be  astonished. 

ISAAC  BROCK,  Major  General. 
To  His  Ex.  Lieut.  Gen.  Sir  GEO.  PREVOST. 


THE  AMERICAN   NAVY.  117 

This  dastardly  conduct  of  Gen.  Hull,  gave  a  shock 
to  the  government,  and  the  nation,  inexpressibly  great, 
and  fixes  a  lasting  reproach  upon  his  name.  He  wa* 
soon  after  exchanged  for  thirty  British  prisoners  ;  tried 
in  due  form  by  a  court  martial,  and  sentenced  to  be 
shot ;  but  by  the  recommendation  of  the  court,  mercj 
interposed,  on  account  of  his  revolutionary  services, 
and  advanced  age  ;  the  President  remitted  his  sentence, 
and  ordered  his  name  to  be  struck  from  the  rolls  of 
the  army. 

Public  opinion  sanctioned  the  doings  of  the  court- 
martial,  as  well  as  the  interposition  of  mercy,  through 
the  President,  and  all  further  clamour  against  Gen* 
Hull  ceased. 


CHAPTER  VIIL 

General  view  of  the  naval  operations  of  the  war. 

The  public  mind,  which  had  been  overwhelmed  with 
the  disasters  and  misfortunes  of  the  savage  war  of  the 
wilderness,  and  the  fall  of^Michilimackinac,  Chicago,, 
and  Detroit,  was  soon  r^iwed  by  the  brilliant  display 
of  naval  war  upon  the  ocean.  The  naval  heroes  of 
America  unfurled  the  starspangled  banner;  spread  their 
sails  to  the  wind,  traversed  every  sea,  and  every  clime 
in  quest  of  the  enemy,  and  spread  a  new  and  splendid  era 
on  their  country.  With  the  glorious  victories  of  a 
Paul  Jones,  a  Preble  and  other  naval  heroes  of  the  rev 
olution  before  them;  of  a  Truxton,  a  Little,  a  Stewart, 
a  Tryon,  a  Barney  and  others  of  the  naval  war  with 
France  ;  of  a  Decatur,  a  Macdonough,  and  others  of 
the  Tripoli  tan  wars,  they  rose  in  the  majesty  of  them- 


118  RISE  AND  PROGRESS  OF 

selves,  and  nobly  vindicated  the  honor  and  just  rights  of 
their- country's  flag. 

On  the  28th  of  June,  commodore  Rodders  put  to 
sea,  from  N.  York,  with  his  little  squadron,  consisting  of 
the  President,  Congress,  United  States  (frigates)  and 
hrig  Hornet  in  quest  of  the  British  West-India  fleet. 
Soon  after  they  were  at  sea,  they  discovered  the  Brit 
ish  frigate  Belvidera,  and  commenced  a  chase,  which 
continued  through  the  day,  and  when  the  President  had 
so  far  gained  upon  the  Belvidera,  as  to  be  able  to  reach 
her  with  her  bow  guns,  and  was  in  momentary  expect 
ation  of  bringing  her  to  action,  she  had  the  misfortune 
to  lose  16  men  by  the  bursting  of  one  of  her  bow  guns, 
and  the  leg  of  the  commodore  was  fractured  at  the 
same  time.  This  misfortune,  added  to  the  explosion  of 
the  passing  brig,  so  crippled  the  President,  as  to  render 
it  necessary  to  wear  ship,  and  with  a  broad  side  upon  the 
Belvidera,  attempt-to  cripple  her  so  much  as  to  prevent 
her  escape,  and  bring  her  to  action.  But  the  desired 
effect  was  not  fully  obtained,  for  the  Belvidera,  crippled 
as  she  was,  effected  her  escape,  by  lighting  ship,  throw 
ing  overboard  her  guns,  and  whatever  else  she  could 
spare,  and  the  commodore  gave  up  the  chase  about 
midnight. 

Commodore  Rodgers  continued  his  cruise  in  quest  of 
the  convoy,  to  the  entrance  of  the  British  channel,  and 
not  falling  in  with  them,  stJoc^  away  for  the  Madeiras, 
and  Western  isles,  and  on  the  30th  of  August  returned 
to  Boston  by  the  way  of  Newfoundland,  with  several 
valuable  prizes. 


THE   AMERICAN  NAYY.  119 

Copy  of  a  letter  from  Capt.  Hull  to  the  Secretary  of  the 
Navy. 

United  States  Frigate  Constitution, 

1312. 


SIR, 

The  enclosed  account  of  the  affair  between  the 
President,  Com.  Rodgers,  and  the  British  frigate  Belvi- 
dera,  was  taken  by  an  officer,  on  board  the  Behidera, 
and  fell  into  my  hands  by  accident.  It  clearly  proves 
that  she  only  escaped  the  commodore  by  superior 
sailing,  after  having  lightened  her,  and  the  President 
being  very  deep. 

As  much  has  been  said  on  this  subject,  if  Commo 
dore  Rodgers  has  not  arrived,  to  give  you  his  state 
ment  of  the  affair,  if  it  meet  your  approbation,  I  should 
be  pleased  to  bave  this  account  published,  to  prevent 
people  from  making  up  their  minds  hastily,  as  I  find 
them  willing  to  doi 

I  am  confident,  could  the  commodore  have  got  along 
side  the  Behidera,  she  would  have^een  his,  in  less  than 
one  hour. 

1  have  the  honour  to  be,  with  great  respect, 

Sir,  your  obedient  servant. 

ISAAC  HULL. 

HON.  PAUL  HAMILTON,  &c. 

An   account    of  the  proceedings  of  his    Majesty^s  ship 
Behidera,  Richard  Byron,  Esq.  Captain,  23d  of 
June,  1812. 

At  40  minutes  past  4  A.  M.  off  Nantucket  Shoal, 
saw  several  sail  bearing  S.  W.  made  sail  towards  them  : 
at  30  minutes  past  6,  they  bore  S.  W.  by  S.  made  them 
out  to  be  three  frigates,  one  s)oop,  and  one  brig  of  war, 
standing  to  the  S.  E.  under  a  press  of  sail.  Observed 
them  to  make  signals,  and  haul  up  in  chase  of  us,  haul- 


120  RISE   AND  PROGRESS  OF 

ing  down  their  steering  sails,  in  a  confused,  and  irregu 
lar  manner.  Tacked  ship,  made  the  private  signal, 
which  was  not  answered  ;  made  all  the  sail  possible,  N, 
E.  by  E.;  at  8,  moderate  and  fine  weather,  the  head 
most  ship  of  the  chase  S.  S.  W.  1-3  W.  apparently 
gaining  ground  on  us  at  times,  and  leaving  her  consorts. 
At  30  minutes  past  1 1  hoisted  our  colours  and  pendant; 
the  chase  hoisted  American  colours,  two  of  them  hoist 
ed  commodore's  broad  pendants  ;  at  noon  the  commo 
dore  and  the  second  headmost  ship  of  the  chase  S.  W. 
3-4  W.  about  2  and  3-4  of  a  mile,  Nantucket  Shoal  N. 
4°  E.  48  miles;  moderate  and  fine  weather,  cleared 
ship  for  action,  commodore  of  chase  gaining,  the  other 
ships  dropping  ;  observed  the  chase  pointing  her  guns 
at  us ;  at  40  minutes  past  3  P.  M.  the  commodore  fired 
3  shot,  one  of  which  struck  the  rudder  coat,  and  came 
into  the  after  gun  room;  the  other  two  came  into  the 
upper,  or  captain's  cabin,  one  of  which  struck  the 
muzzle  of  the  larboard  chase  gun,  the  other  went 
through  the  beam  under  the  skylight,  killed  William 
Gould,  seaman  ;  wounded  John  Hill,  armourer,  mortal 
ly  ;  Joseph  Lee,  seaman,  severely  ;  George  Marlon, 
•hip's  corporal,  badly ;  Lieut.  Bruce,  and  James  Kel. 
ley  and  James  Larmont,  seamen,  slightly.  At  45  min 
utes  past  3,  commenced  firing  with  our  stern  guns,  shot 
away  her  larboard  lower  steering  sail,  keeping  our  ship 
a  steady  course  N.  E.  by  E.  at  4,  the  chase  bore  up  and 
fired  her  larboard  broadside,  which  cut  our  rigging  and 
sails  much,  the  long  bolts,  breeching-hooks,  and  breech- 
ings  of  guns  and  carronades  frequently^  breaking  (by 
one  of  which  Capt.  Byron  was  severely  wounded  in  the 
left  thigh)  all  of  which  was  instantly  replaced.  Kept 
yp  a  constant  fire,  which  was  returned  by  our  opponent 
with  bow-chase  guns,  and  at  times  by  her  broadsides, 
which  by  her  superiority  of  sailing  she  was  enabled  to 
tio  till  45  minutes  past  6,  when  we  cut  away  our  spare 
sheet  and  small  bower  anchors,  barge,  yawl,  and  jolly 
floats,  and  started  14  tons  of  water  ;  we  then  gained  ou 


THE  AMERICAN  NAVY.  121 

him,  when  he  bore  up  and  fired  three  broadsides,  part 
of  which  fell  short  of  us  ;  at  7,  opponent  ceased  firing, 
and  the  second  frigate  commenced,  but  finding  her  shot 
fell  short,  ceased  again.  Employed  fishing  our  cross- 
jack  yard,  and  main  top-mast  (both  badly  wounded,) 
knotting  and  splicing  our  rigging,  which  was  much  cut 
and  damaged.  At  1 1,  altered  our  course  to  E.  by  S. 
1-2  S.  and  lost  sight  of  our  opponents. 

AMERICAN   SQUADRON. 

Boston  Sept..  1,  1812. 

We  with  pleasure  announce  the  safe  arrival  in  this 
port  on  Monday  last  of  the  United  States  squadron 
commanded  by  Com.  Rodgers,  which  sailed  from  New- 
York,  on  the  21st  June,  on  a  cruise.  The  squadron, 
composed  of  the  President,  44  guns,  bearing  Com. 
Rodgers'  flag;  the  United  States,  44,  bearing  Com.  De- 
catur's  flag  ;  Congress  36,  Capt.  Smith  ;  Hornet  16, 
Capt.  Lawrence;  and  brig  Argus  16,  Capt.  Sinclair; 
came  into  harbour  in  a  handsome  style.  Tlie  squad 
ron  had  been  seventy  days  at  sea,  during  which  time 
they  had  been  nearly  to  the  chops  of  the  English 
Channel,  along  the  coast  of  France,  Spain,  and  Portu 
gal ;  to  within  ten  leagues  of  the  Rock  of  Lisbon  ;  to 
the  vicinity  of  the  Western  Islands  ;  and  back  by  the 
Banks  and  Coast  of  Nova  Scotia  to  Boston  ;  during 
which  they  did  not  even  see  a  single  British  national 
vessel,  excepting  the  Behidera,  with  whom  the  Presi 
dent  had  a  running  fight  of  some  hours.  They  have 
captured  seven  English  merchantmen  two  of  which 
they  burnt,  and  sent  the  other  five  for  American  ports, 
none  of  which,  as  we  have  learnt,  have  been  fortunate 
enough  to  arrive, 

The  running  fight  between  the  President   and  Behi- 
dera  is  thus  stated : — The  latter  was  descried   on  the 
23d  June,  when  the  squadron  gave  chase.     The  Presi 
dent,  by  superiority  of  sailing,  got  within  gun-shot  of 
11 


]  22  RISE  AND  PROGRESS  OF 

the  Belvidera,  between  4  and  5  o'clock  P.  M.  when 
finding  the  breeze,  which  had  enabled  the  President  to 
overhaul  the  chase,  was  moderating,  and  that  the  chase 
•was  preparing  to  fire  on  the  President,  the  latter  com 
menced  firing  for  the  purpose  of  crippling  the  spars  of 
the  Belvidera,  in  order  to  come  up  with  her.  The  fire 
was  kept  up  two  hours  :  the  President  yawing,  and 
firing  two  or  three  broadsides  to  effect  her  object,  and 
keeping  up  a  constant  fire  of  the  chase  guns,  which 
though  it  cut  the  sails  and  rigging,  did  not  stop  the  way 
of  the  Belvidera,  which,  as  the  wind  became  light,  was 
accelerated  by  her  crowding  all  sail,  starting  her  wa 
ter,  cutting  away  her  anchors,  arid  by  staving  and 
throwing  over  her  boats.  The  chase  continued  until 
near  midnight ;  during  which  the  Congress  frigate  came 
so  near  the  Belvidera  as  to  fire  three  or  four  shot  at 
her.  The  Hornet,  as  reported,  had  no  share  in  the 
firing.  Early  in  the  chase  a  very  serious  accident  oc 
curred  on  board  the  President — one  of  the  forward  guns, 
being  fired,  burst,  tore  up  the  decks,  killed  several  sea 
men,  and  wounded  11  or  12  others — among  whom  was 
Com.  Rodgers,  who  had  stepped  forward  to  direct  the 
firing  of  the  chase  guns,  and  who  was  blown  up,  and  in 
the  fall  had  the  bone  of  his  leg  fractured.  He  has 
since  recovered.  This  accident  also  prevented  the 
chase  guns  being  used  for  some  time.  The  loss  of  the 
President  we  have  not  accurately  ascertained.  We 
understand  4  were  killed  by  the  bursting  of  the  gun, 
and  3  by  the  shot  of  the  Belvidera ;  and  1 9  were 
wounded,  mostly  slightly,  and  by  the  bursting  gun. 

We  lament  to  learn,  that  the  crews  of  the  ships  are 
very  sickly,  mostly  of  scurvy — occasioned  by  short  al 
lowance  of  provisions  and  water,  made  necessary  in 
consequence  of  the  sudden  departure  of  the  squadron 
from  New- York,  and  the  length  of  her  cruise.  Many 
have  died. — Ceniincl. 


THE  AMERICAN  NAVY.  123 

From  Com.  Rodgers  to  the  Secretary  of  the  Navy. 
U.  S.  Frigate  President,  Boston,  Sept.  1.  1812. 

SIR, 

I  had  the  honour  yesterday  of  informing  you  of  the 
arrival  of  the  squadron,  and  now  state  the  result  and 
particulars  of  our  cruise. 

Previous  to  leaving  New-York  on  the  21st  of  June, 
I  heard  that  a  British  convoy  had  sailed  from  Jamaica 
for  England,  on  or  about  the  20th  of  the  preceding 
month,  and  on  being  informed  of  the  declaration  of 
war  against  Great  Britain,  I  determined,  in  the  event 
of  Com.  Decatur  joining  me  with  the  United  States, 
Congress,  and  Argus,  as  you  had  directed,  to  go  in  par- 
suit  of  them. 

The  United  States,  Congress,  and  Ar^us  did  join  me 
on  the  21st;  with  which  vessels,  this  ship  and  the  Hor 
net  accordingly  sailed  in  less  than  an  hour  after  I  re 
ceived  your  orders  of  the  18th  of  June,  accompanied 
by  your  official  communication  of  the  declaration  cf 
war. 

On  leaving  New-York,  I  shaped  our  course  south 
easterly,  in  the  expectation  of  falling  in  with  vessels, 
by  which  I  should  hear  of  the  before  mentioned  con 
voy,  and  the  following  night  met  with  an  American 
brig  that  gave  me  the  sought-for  information  ;  the  squad 
ron  now  crowded  sail  in  pursuit,  but  the  next  morning 
was  taken  out  of  its  course  by  the  pursuit  of  a  British 
•frigate,  that  I  since  find  was  the  Belvidera,  relative  to 
which  I  beg  leave  to  refer  you  to  the  enclosed  extract 
from  my  journal.  After  repairing  as  far  as  possible  the 
injury  done  by  the  Belvidera  to  our  spars  and  rigging, 
we  again  crowded  all  sail,  and  resumed  our  course  in 
pursuit  of  the  convoy,  but  did  not  receive  further  intel 
ligence  of  it  until  the  29th  of  June,  on  the  western 
edge  of  the  banks  of  Newfoundland,  where  we  spoke 
an  American  schooner,  the  master  of  which  reported 


124  RISE  AND  PROGRESS  OF 

that  he  had  two  days  before  passed  them  in  latitude 
43°,  longitude  55°,  steering  to  the  eastward.  I  wa§ 
surprised  to  find  that  the  convoy  was  still  so  far  to  the 
eastward  of  us,  but  was  urged,  however,  as  well  by 
what  f  considered  my  duty  as  by  inclination,  to  conti 
nue  the  pursuit. 

On  the  1st  of  July,  a  little  to  the  eastward  of  New 
foundland  Bank,  we  fell  in  with  quantities  of  cocoa  nut 
shells,  orange-peels,  &c.  which  indicated  that  the  convoy 
were  not  far  distant,  and  we  pursued  it  with  zeal,  al 
though  frequently  taken  out  of  our  course  by  vessels  it 
was  necessary  to  chase,  without  gaining  any  further  in 
telligence  until  the  9th  of  July,  in  lat.  4.5»  30',  long. 
23°,  we  captured  the  British  private  armed  brig  Dol 
phin,  of  Jersey,  and  were  informed  by  some  of  her 
crew  that  they  had  seen  the  convoy  the  preceding  eve 
ning  ;  the  weather  was  not  clear  at  the  time,  but  that  they 
hacf  counted  85  sail,  and  that  the  force  charged  with  its 
protection  consisted  of  one  two  decker,  a  frigate,  a 
sloop  of  war,  and  a  brig. 

This  was  the  last  intelligence  I  received  of  the  before- 
mentioned  convoy,  although  its  pursuit  was  continued 
until  the  13th  of  July,  being  then  within  18  or  20  hour* 
sail  of  the  British  channel. 

From  this  we  steered  for  the  Island  of  Madeira,  pas 
sed  close  by  it  on  the  91st  of  July  ;  thence  near  the 
Azores,  and  saw  Corvo  arid  Flores  ;  thence  steered  for 
the  banks  of  Newfoundland  ;  and  from  the  latter  place, 
by  the  way  of  Cape  Sable,  to  this  port,  it  having  become 
indispensably  necessary,  by  the  time  we  reached  our 
own  coast,  to  make  the  first  convenient  port  in  the  Uni 
ted  States;  owing,  I  am  sorry  to  say,  to  that  wretched 
disease,  the  scurvy,  having  made  its  appearance  on 
board  of  the  vessels,  most  generally  to  a  degree  serious 
ly  alarming. 

From  the  western  part  of  the  banks  of  Newfound 
land  to  our  making  the  island  of  Madeira  the  weather 
was  such,  at  least  six  davs  out  of  seven,  as  ta  obscure 


THE  AMERICAN  NAVY.  105 

from  our  discovery  every  object  that  we  did  not  pass 
within  four  or  five  miles  of,  and  indeed  for  several  days 
together  the  fog  was  so  thick  as  to  prevent  our  seeing 
each  other,  even  at  cable's  length  asunder,  more  than 
twice  or  thrice  in  24  hours. 

From  the  time  of  our  leaving  the  United  States  until 
our  arrival  here  we  chased  every  vessel  we  saw,  and  you 
will  not  be  a  little  astonished  when  I  inform  you,  that,  al 
though  we  brought  to  every  thing  we  did  chase,  with  the 
exception  of  four  vessels,  we  only  made  seven  captures 
and  one  recapture. 

It  i;3  truly  an  unpleasant  task  to  be  obliged  to  make  a 
communication  thus  barren  of  benefit  to  our  country  ; 
the  only  consolation  I  individually  feel  on  the  occasion 
being  derived  from  knowing,  that  our  being  at  sea  obli 
ged  the  enemy  to  concentrate  a  considerable  portion 
of  his  most  active  force",  and  thereby  prevented  his  cap 
turing  an  incalculable  amount  of  American  property 
that  would  otherwise  have  fallen  a  sacrifice. 

I  am  aware  of  the  anxiety  you  must  have  experien 
ced  at  not  hearing  from  me  for  such  a  length  of  time  ; 
but  this  I  am  sure  you  will  not  attribute  in  any  degree  to 
neglect,  when  I  inform  you  that  no  convenient  oppor 
tunity  occurred  from  the  time  of  leaving  the  United 
States  until  our  return. 

Mr.  Newcomb,  who  will  deliver  you  this,  you  will 
find  an  intelligent  young  man,  capable  of  giving  such 
further  information  as  you  may  deem  of  any  moment  : 
He  will  at  the  same  time  deliver  you  a  chart,  shewing 
the  track  in  which  we  cruised.  Annexed  is  a  list  of 
vessels  captured,  recaptured,  and  burnt. 

The.  four  vessels  we  chased  and  did  not  come  wp 
with,  were  the  Belvidera,  a  small  pilot-boat  schooner, 
supposed  to  be  an  American  privateer,  the  hermaphro 
dite  privateer  Yankee,  which  we  lost  sight  of  in  a  fog, 
but  whose  character  we  afterwards  learnt,  and  a  frigate 
supposed  to  be  British,  that  we  chased  on  the  28th  uk. 
wear  the  shoals  of  George's  bank  and  should  certainly 
11* 


126  RISE  AND  PROGRESS  OF 

have  come  up  with,  had  we  had  the  advantage  of  two 
hours'  more  day-light. 

On  board  of  the  several  vessels  of  the  sq'iadron 
there  are  between  30  and  100  prisoners,  taken  from  the 
vessels  we  captured  daring  our  late  cruise.  The  gov 
ernment  not  having  any  agent  for  prisoners  here,  I  shall 
•end  them  to  Com.  Bainbridge,  to  be  disposed  of  in 
such  manner  as  best  comports  with  the  interest  of  the 
United  States,  and  which  I  hope  may  meet  with  your 
approbation. 

With  the  greatest  respect,  I  have  the  honour 
to  be,  sir,  your  obedient  servant, 

JOHN  RODGERS. 

Hon.  PAUL  HAMILTON, 
Secretary  of  the  Nary. 

Extract  from  Commodore   Rodgers"*  Journal. 

Sailed  from  New  York  June  21.  The  23d,  6  A.  M. 
discovered  and  gave  chase  to  an  English  frigate,  suppo 
sed  to  be  the  Belvidera.  The  superiority  of  the  Presi 
dent's  sailing,  while  the  breeze  continued  fresh,  enabled 
her  to  get  within  gun-shot  between  4  and  5  P.  M.  when  it 
had  moderated  so  as  to  give  very  faint  hopes  of  getting 
along  side.  At  this  time  perceiving  she  was  training 
her  guns  to  bear  upon  the  President,  the  latter  com 
menced  a  fire  at  her  spars  and  rigging,  with  the  view  to 
cripple  and  get  abreast  of  her,  a  lire  was  kept  up  about 
wo  hours.  The  President  gave  her  two  or  three 
oroadsides,  and  kept  up  a  well  directed  fire  from  the 
chase  guns,  which  cut  her  sails  and  rigging  very  much, 
but  did  not  succeed  in  destroying  any  of  her  spars,  al 
though  some  of  them  were  much  wounded.  The  Pres 
ident  all  this  time  was  exposed  to  a  running  tire  from  her 
four  stern-chasers  ;  and  once  the  British  frigate  com 
menced  a  fire  from  her  main  deck,  with  an  intention  of 
raking  the  President  with  a  broadside,  but  at  that  mo 
ment  receiving  one  from  the  President  continued  her 
course  under  a  press  of  sail,  and  used  only  her  stern 


THE  AMERICAN  NAVY.  127 

guns.  All  sail  was  crowded  in  pursuit,  but  in  vain. 
The  chase  was  now  throwing  overboard  every  thing 
that  could  be  spared,  to  increase  her  sailing,  and  escap 
ed  by  the  lightness  of  the  wind  5  four  of  her  boats  were 
seen  floating  by  the  President,  completely  knocked  to 
pieces,  together  with  a  great  number  of  casks,  spars,  &c. 
and  it  was  supposed  most  of  her  guns  were  also  thrown^ 
overboard. 

The  President  received  a  considerable  number  of 
shot  in  her  sails  and  rigging,  but  was  not  materially  in 
jured.  The  chase  was  continued  till  about  midnight, 
when  it  was  relinquished  as  hopeless,  and  the  President 
hove  to  for  the  squadron  to  come  up.  Early  in  the 
chase,  one  of  the  President's  chase  guns,  on  the  gun- 
deck,  burst,  and  injured  the  upper  deck  so  much,  as  to 
prevent  the  use  of  the  chase  guns  on  that  side  for  a 
considerable  time.  The  President  had  3  killed,  and 
19  wounded,  most  of  the  latter  slightly  ;  of  the  wound 
ed,  16  were  by  the  bursting  of  a  gun.  It  was  by  the 
same  gun  Com.  Rodgers  had  his  leg  fractured  ;  but 
has  recovered. 

The  squadron  afterwards  pursued  the  Jamaica  fleet, 
Trut  owing  to  uncommonly  foggy  weather,  missed  them, 
although  at  times  very  near. 

After  the  rencounter  above  related,  Capt.  Byron,  of 
the  Belvidera,  in  conversation  with  an  American  gen 
tleman,  observed,  that,  in  his  opinion,  Com.  Rodders 
had  done  every  thing  on  board  the  President,  which 
could  have  contributed  to  the  capture  of  his  ship.  When 
the  squadron  first  gave  chase  to  the  Belvidera,  they 
gained  upon  her  very  fast;  and  Capt.  Byron  considered 
his  vessel  as  lost ;  but  as  a  last  resort,  when  the  Presi 
dent  was  coming  up  within  gun-shot  of  the  Belvii'era. 
orders  were  given  to  cut  away  the  anchors,  stave  the 
water  casks,  and  throw  overboard  the  boats,  and  every 
thing  moveable,  which  could  be  spared,  and  which 
could  tend  to  lighten  the  ship.  As  soon  as  this  had 
been  done,  it  was  observed,  that  the  Belvidera  began  to 


128  11ISE   AND  PROGRESS  OF 

draw  from  the  chase  ;  which  being  discovered  by  Com. 
Rodgers,  he  opened  his  fire  upon  her,  in  hope  of  dis 
abling  some  of  her  spars,  and  thereby  enable  him  to 
come  up  with  her.  Capt.  Byron  declared,  that  the 
fire  from  the  President  was  extremely  well  directed,  al 
most  every  shot  taking  effect  ;  and  that  to  the  circuua- 
stance  above  related,  and  the  wind  at  the  same  time  be 
coming  more  light,  was  his  escape  to  be  attributed. 

A  declaration,  like  this,  coming  from  an  enemy,  is 
conclusive  evidence  of  the  good  conduct  of  Commo 
dore  Rodgers. 

On  the  3d  of  July  the  frigate  Essex,  Capt.  Norton, 
put  to  sea  from  New-York,  bound  on  a  cruise  :  the  Con 
stitution,  Capt.  Hull  put  to  sea  from  Annapolis  on  the 
12th,  bound  to  New  York.  On  her  way,  she  was  cha 
sed  out  of  her  course  on  the  17th  by  the  British  ship  of 
the  line  Africa,  and  the  frigates,  Shannon,  Belvidera, 
Guerriere,  and  Eolus.  This  squadron  commenced  their 
chase  under  a  favourable  breeze,  and  Capt.  Hull,  see 
ing  no  prospect  of  escape,  cleared  ship  for  action,  in 
case  of  necessity  ;  but  deeming  resistance  against  such 
a  vast  superiority  of  force,  desperate,  he  hit  upon  the 
following  expedient.  He  sent  out  his  kedges,  with  a 
long  warp,  and  hove  his  ship  ahead  so  adroitly,  that  she 
soon  gained  upon  the  squadron,  so  fast  as  to  induce  them 
to  put  forth  all  their  efforts  to  bring  their  headmost  ship 
into  action  by  all  the  tow  boats  of  the  squadron.  The 
parties  continued  their  exertions  about  60  hours,  with 
the  most  indefatigable  labours,  when  the  Constitution 
was  relieved  bv  a  favorable  breeze,  and  she  shot  ahead 
of  her  pursuers,  and  made  an  honorable  escape. 

The  following  account  from  the  log  book  of  the  Con 
stitution  will  shew  in  detail  the  most  interesting  adven 
tures. 

Friday,  July  17,   1812. 

Commences  with  clear  weather  and  fresh  breezet 
from  the  northward  and  eastward.  At  1  -2  past  1 ,  V.  M. 
totmded  in  '22  fathoms  water.  At  2,  four  bail  of  vessel* 


THE  AMERICAN  NAVY.  129 

in  sight.  At  3,  sounded  in  1 8  1-2  fathoms-  At  1-4  past 
3,  tacked  to  the  east.  At  4,  a  ship  in  sight,  bearing 
N.  E.  standing  down  for  us,  and  three  ships  and  a  brig 
N.  N.  W.  on  the  starboard  tack.  From  4  to  6,  light 
airs  from  the  northward.  At  6,  the  single  ship  bearing 
E.  N.  E.  At  1-2  past  6,  got  a  light  breeze  from  the 
southward  and  eastward,  wore  ship  and  stood  towards 
the  above  sail,  keeping  her  a  little  off  the  larboard  bow. 
At  1-2  past  7,  beat  to  quarters  and  cleared  ship  for  ac 
tion.  At  8,  light  airs  ; — coining  up  with  the  ships  very 
slow.  At  1-2  past  10,  made  the  private  signals  of  the 
day;  At  1-4  past  11,  hauled  down  the  signals,  not  hav 
ing  been  answered,  and  made  sail  by  the  wind,  with  star 
board  tacks  on  board.  From  12  to  4  A.  M.  light  airs 
from  the  southward  and  westward  and  cloudy.  At  4 
A.  M.  the  ship  made  a  signal.  At  day-light,  discover 
ed  three  sail  astern.  At  5,  discovered  another  sail 
astern,  making  two  frigates  off  our  lee-quarter,  and  two 
frigates  and  one  ship  of  the  line,  one  brig,  and  one 
schooner,  astern.  At  1-4  past  5,  it  being  calm  and  the 
ship  having  no  steering  way,  hoisted  out  the  first  cutter 
and  got  the  boats  ahead  to  tow  ship's  head  round  to  the 
southward,  got  a  24  pounder  up  off  the  gun-deck  for  a 
stern-gun,  and  the  forecastle  gun  aft — cut  away  the 
tafia rel  to  give  them  room,  and  run  two  guns  out  of  the 
cabin  windows.  At  6,  got  the  ship's  head  round  to  the 
southward  and  set  top-gallant  studding-sails  and  stay 
sails,  one  of  the  frigates  firing  at  us.  At  1-2  past  6, 
sounded  in  26  fathoms  water.  At  7,  got  out  a  kedge 
and  warped  the  ship  ahead.  At  1-2  past  7,  hoisted  the 
colours  and  tired  one  gun  at  the  ship  astern.  At  8, 
calm  ; — employed  warping  and  towing  the  ship.  The 
other  ships  having  alight  air  gaining  on  us,  with  their 
boats  ahead,  and  one  of  them  using  sweeps.  At  9,  the 
above  ship  in  close  chase  of  us,  and  the  nearest  frigate 
gaining  on  us.  At  9  minutes  past  9,  a  light  breeze 
sprung  up  from  the  southward  ;  braced  up  by  the  wind 
on  the  larboard  tack,  when  the  above  frigate  commen- 


ISO  RISE  AND  PROGRESS  OF 

ced  firing,  but  her  shot  did  not  reach  us  ;  got  the  boats 
along  side,  run  two  of  them  up.  At  10,  started  2335 
gallons  of  water  and  pumped  it  out — almost  calm — man 
ned  the  first  cutter  to  tow  ship  ; —  six  sail  of  the  enemy's 
ships  off  the  starboard  beam  and  quarter  ;  perceived 
that  the  nearest  frigate  had  got  ail  the  boats  from  the 
other  ships  to  tow  her  towards  us.  From  10,  A.  M.  to 
meridian,  employed  warping  and  towing.  All  sail  made 
by  the  wind,  one  of  the  ships  coming  up,  apparently 
having  all  the  boats  from  the  other  ships. 

Saturday,  July  18. 

Light  airs  from  the  southward  and  eastward,  attended 
with  calms.  At  1-2  after  meridian,  sent  the  first  cutter 
and  green  cutter  ahead  to  tow  ship.  At  1-4  before  1 , 
P.M.  a  strange  sail  discovered  two  points  abaft  oiF  the 
lee-beam,  the  four  frigates  one  point  off  the  starboard- 
quarter.  Line-of-battle  ship,  brig  and  schooner,  off  the 
lee-beam.  At  7  minutes  before  2,  the  chasing  frigates 
commenced  firing  their  bow  chase  guns,  we  returned 
them  with  our  stern  chasers.  At  1-2  past  3,  still  chas 
ed  by  the  above  ships,  one  of  them  being  nearly  within 
gun-shot.  At  7,  observed  the  enemy's  ships  towing  with 
their  boats.  'Lowered  down  the  first  cutter,  green  cut 
ter  and  gig,  and  sent  them  ahead  to  tow  ship; — light 
airs,  inclinable  to  calms.  At  8,  light  airs  from  the 
southward  and  eastward.  The  first  and  fifth  cutters  and 
gig  ahead  towing  ship.  The  enemy's  ships  in  the  same 
position  as  at  7.  From  8  to  9,  light  airs  and  cloudy. 
The  enemy's  ships  still  in  chase  of  us  ;  boats  ahead  tow 
ing  ship.  At  7  minutes  before  1 1 ,  a  breeze  springing  up 
from  the  southward  ;  boats  came  along  side,  hoisted  up 
the  gig  and  green  cutter,  and  set  the  fore-top-mast  stay 
sail  and  main-top-gallant  studding  sail.  At  midnight 
moderate  breezes  and  cloudy,  the  enemy's  ships  still  in 
chase.  At  2,  A.  M.  discovered  one  of  the  ships  off  the 
lee-beam.  At  1-2  past  2,  took  in  the  studding  sails,  at 
day-light  four  frigates  in  sight,  three  off  the  lee-quarter 


THE  AMERICAN  NAVY.  131 

and  one  off  the  lee-beam,  from  two  to  three  miJes  dis 
tant.  At  4,  six  sail  in  sight  from  off  the  deck,  hauled 
down  the  foretop-mast  staysail  ; — very  light  breezes. 
At  20  minutes  past  4,  tacked  ship  to  the  eastward.  At 
5,  passed  about  gun-shot  distance  to  windward  of  one  of 
the  frigates  ;  hoisted  in  the  first  cutter; — ten  sail  in 
sight  from  the  mast-head.  At  9,  saw  a  ship  to  windward 
supposed  to  be  an  American  merchantman,  standing  to 
wards  us.  The  frigate  astern  hoisted  American  col 
ours,  as  a  decoy  ;  we  immediately  hoisted  English  col 
ours  ;  got  royal  studding  sails  fitted.  At  1 1,  A.  M.took 
in  sky-sails.  At  meridian,  moderate  breezes  and  pleas 
ant  weather,  rather  leaving  the  frigates  in  chase  ;  the 
headmost  frigate  to  leeward,  bearing  nearly  N.  by  W. 
four  or  five  miles  distant,  the  nearest  frigate  W.  N.  W. 
directly  in  our  wake,  distant  about  three  and  half  miles. 
The  Ime-of-battle  ship,  N.  by  W.  1-2  W.  on  the  lar 
board  tack,  hull  down.  Two  frigates  off  our  lee-quar 
ter,  N.  N,  W.  1-2  W.  and  N.  W.  by  N.  about  five  miles 
distant,  and  a  brig  bearing  about  N.  by  W.  Observed, 
latitude  38°  47'  N.  which,  with  the  soundings  got 
at  1-4  past  10,  A.  M.  and  allowing  for  the  distance 
since  run,  gives  our  long,  about  73°  53'  W.  from  which 
we  date  our  departure. 

CATT.    HULL'S   OFFICIAL     LETTER. 

Constitution  at  se«,  off  Nanlucket, 

July,  20,  1312. 
SIR, 

The  Constitution  is  on  her  way  to  Boston  for  your 
orders,  having  been  chased  by  a  British  squadron  off 
New- York,  and  very  near  being  taken.  The  chase  con 
tinued  three  days  and  nights,  by  a  line-of-battle  ship, 
four  frigates,  a  brig  and  a  schooner. 


1  32  RISE  AND  PROGRESS  OF 

I  shall  call  off  Boston  and  write  from  there,  and  con 
tinue  cruising  in  the  bay  until  I  hear  from  you. 
Respectfully, 

ISAAC     HULL. 
Hon.  PAUL  HAMILTON, 

of  Navy. 


On  Sunday,  the  26th  of  July,  the  Constitution  arrived 
in  Boston  harbour.  On  Tuesday  the  28th,  Capt.  Hull 
came  up  to  the  town.  On  his  landing  and  reaching 
State  Street,  he  was  received  by  his  fellow-citizens  with 
repeated  huzzas. 

[The  following  card  was  inserted,  at  the  request  of 
Capt  Hull,  in  the  Exchange  Coffee-house  Books.] 

"  Capt.  Hull,  finding  his  friends  in  Boston  are  cor 
rectly  informed  of  his  situation  when  chased  by  the 
British  squadron  off  New-York,  and  that  they  are  good 
enough  to  $ve  him  moic  credit  by  escaping  them  than 
he  ought  to  claim,  takes  this  opportunity  of  requesting 
them  to  make  a  transfer  of  a  great  part  of  their  good 
wishes  to  Lieutenant  Morris,  and  the  other  brave  of 
ficers,  and  the  crew  under  his  command,  for  their  great 
exertions  and  prompt  attention  to  orders  while  the  ene 
my  were  in  chase.  Capt.  Hull  has  great  pleasure  in 
saying,  that  notwithstanding  the  length  of  Ihe  chase,  and 
the  officers  and  crew  being  deprived  of  sleep,  and  allow 
ed  but  little  refreshments  during  the  time,  not  a  murmur 
was  heard  to  escape  them." 

Interesting    Particulars. 

Capt.  Hull,  in  the  management  of  his  ship  during  her 
chase  by  the  squadron  under  Com.  Broke,  displayed  the 
most  skilful  and  accomplished  seamanship. 

At  a  time  when  the  wind  was  very  light,  the  sails  of 
the  Shannon  were  all  furled,  and  the  boats  of  the  squad 
ron  were  all  put  to  tow  her  directly  to  windward  to- 


THE  AMERICAN  NAVY.  1  33 

ward  the  Constitution  ;  at  the  same  time  Capt.  Hull 
was  kedging  his  ship  forward  faster  than  the  enemy  was 
able  to  advance  by  towing ;  he  had  gained  a  considera 
ble  distance,  before  the  enemy,  who  were  constantly 
observing  him  with  their  glasses,  perceived  the  manner 
in  which  he  was  leaving.  They  then  kedged  in  their 
turn,  but  not  with  the  same  rapidity,  owing  probably  in 
some  measure  to  the  precaution  observed  by  Capt. 
Hull,  whenever  his  boats  came  home,  instead  of  making 
them  fast  to  the  ship,  of  hoisting  them  up  at  the  davids. 
This  manoeuvre  of  kedging  a  ship  at  sea,  in  25  or  30 
fathoms  water,  was  an  ingenious  and  novel  experiment ; 
it  was  first  suggested,  it  is  understood,  by  Lieut,  [now 
Capt.]  C.  Morris. 

~*~  When  the  squall  struck  the  Constitution,  by  which 
she  ultimately  escaped,  Capt.  H.  availed  himself  of  an- 
other  stratagem  to  gain  time.  He  was  to  windward — 
the  squall  was  powerful,  and  pressed  her  huge  side  low 
in  the  water  ;  he  immediately  let  every  thing  go  by  the 
run,  apparently  in  the  utmost  confusion,  as  if  unable  to 
shew  a  yard  of  canvas — his  sails  were  hauled  up  by  the 
brails  and  clewlines  ;  the  enemy,  observing  this,  has 
tened  to  get  every  thing  snug  before  the  gust  should 
reach  them  : — but,  no  sooner  had  they  got  their  sails 
furled,  than  Capt.  Hull  had  his  courses  and  topsails  set, 
and  the  Constitution  darted  forward  with  great  rapidity. 
So  coolly  however  did  he  proceed,  that  he  would  not 
suffer  one  of  his  boats  to  be  cut  adrift,  but  though  pres 
sed  by  a  pursuing  enemy,  attended  personally  to  hoist 
ing  in  his  launch  and  other  boats,  while  the  ship  wa< 
going  nine  or  ten  knots  through  the  water.  This  is  a  fact 
which  will  appear  astonishing  to  a  sailor  ;  and  he  seem 
ed  to  be  the  only  person  in  the  ship  who  conceived  it 
feasible  : — the  British  squadron  cut  adrift  all  their  boats 
and,  after  they  abandoned  the  chase,  spent  two  or 
three  whole  days  in  cruising  to  pick  them  up. 
12 


I J4  RISE  AND  PROGRESS  OF 

CHAPTER  IX. 

Naval  Adventures  Continued. 

CONSTITUTION  AND  GUERRIERE. 

On  the  2d,  of  Seft.  the  Constitution  put  to  sea  from 
Boston,  and  on  the  19th,  descried  a  sail,  and  gave  chase 
immediately.  Capt.  Hull  soon  discovered  the  chase  to 
he  a  British  frigate  of  the  largest  class,  which  did  not 
appear  to  decline  the  combat.  Capt.  Hull  cleared  ship, 
and  bore  down  upon  the  enemy  and  his  brave  crew 
gave  three  cheers  as  they  commenced  the  action. 

U.  S.  frigate.  Constitution,  off  Boston  Light, 
August  30,   1812. 

SIR, 

I  have  the  honour  to  inform  you,  that  on  the  19th 
inst.  at  2  P.  M.  being  in  lat.  41  deg.  42  min.  and  Ion. 
55  deg.  and  48  min.  with  the  Constitution  under  mr 
command,  a  sail  was  discovered  from  the  mast-head 
bearing  E.  by  S.  or  E.  S.  E.  but  at  such  a  distance  we 
could  not  tell  whnt  she  was.  All  sail  was  instantly  made 
in  chase,  and  soon  found  we  came  up  with  her.  At  3 
P.  M.  could  plainly  see,  that  she  was  a  ship  on  the  star 
board  tack  under  easy  sail,  close  on  a  wind  ;  at  half 
past  3  P.  M.  made  her  out  to  be  a  frigate  ;  continued  the 
chase  until  we  were  within  about  three  miles,  when  I 
ordered  the  light  sails  to  be  taken  in,  the  courses  hauled 
op,  and  the  ship  cleared  for  action.  At  this  time  the 
chase  had  backed  his  maintop-sail,  waiting  for  us  to 
come  down.  As  soon  as  the  Constitution  wras  ready 
for  action,  I  bore  down  with  intention  to  bring  him  to 
close  action  immediately  :  but  on  our  coming  within  gun- 
ihot  she  gave  us  a  broadside  and  filed  away,  and  wore, 
giving  us  a  broadside  on  the  other  tack,  but  without 


THE  AMERICAN  NAVY.  13$ 

effect ;  her  shot  falling  short.  She  continued  wearing 
and  maneuvering  for  about  three  quarters  of  an  hour  to 
get  a  raking  position,butfindir.gshe  could  not,she  bore  up, 
and  run  under  her  top-sails  and  jib,  with  the  wind  on  her 
quarter.  I  immediately  made  sail  to  bring  the  ship  up 
with  her,  and  five  minutes  before  6  P.  M.  being  along 
side  within  half  pistol-shot,  we  commenced  a  heavy  fire 
from  all  our  guns,  double  shotted  with  round  and  grape, 
and  so  well  directed  were  they,  and  so  warmly  kept  up, 
that  in  15  minutes  his  mizen-mast  went  by  the  board 
and  his  main  yard  in  the  slings,  and  the  hull,  rigging, 
and  sails  very  much  torn  to  pieces.  The  fire  was  kept 
up  with  equal  warmth  for  15  minutes  longer,  when  his 
mainmast  and  foremast  went,  taking  with  them  every 
spar,  excepting  the  bowsprit.  On  seeing  this  we  ceased 
firing,  so  that  in  thirty  minutes  after  we  got  fairly  along 
side  the  enemy,  she  surrendered,  and  had  not  a  spar 
standing,  and  her  hull  below  and  above  water  so  shat 
tered,  that  a  few  more  broadsides  must  have  carried  her 
down. 

After  informing  you,  that  so  fine  a  ship  as  the  Guer- 
riere,  commanded  by  an  able  and  experienced  officer, 
had  been  totally  dismasted,  and  otherwise  cut  to  pieces 
so  as  to  make  her  not  worth  towing  into  port,  in  the 
short  space  of  thirty  minutes,  you  can  have  no  doubt  of 
the  gallantry  and  good  conduct  of  the  officers  and  ship's 
company  1  have  the  honour  to  command  ;  it  only  re 
mains  therefore  for  me  to  assure  you,  that  they  all  fought 
with  great  bravery  ;  and  it  gives  me  great  pleasure  to 
lay,  that  from  the  smallest  boy  in  the  ship  to  the  oldest 
seaman,  not  a  look  of  fear  was  seen.  They  all  went  into 
action,  giving  three  cheers,  and  requested  to  be  laid 
close  along  side  the  enemy. 

Enclosed  I  have  the  honour  to  send  you  a  list  of  kil 
led  and  wounded  on  board  the  Constitution,  and  a  re 
port  of  the  damages  she  has  sustained  ;  also  a  list  of  kii* 


AND  PROGRESS  OF 

led  and  wounded  on  board  the  enemy,  with  his  quarter 
bill,  &c. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  with  very  great  respect, 
Sir,  your  ob'tserv't, 

ISAAC  HULL. 
Hon.  PAUL  HAMILTON,  &c. 

Keturn  of  killed  and  wounded  on  board  the  U.  S.  frig 
ate  Constitution,  Isaac  Hull  Esq.  Captain. in  the  ac 
tion  with  H.  M.  ship  Guerriere,  Jas.  R.  Dacres  Esq. 
Captain,  on  the  20th  day  of  Aug.  1812. 

Killed. — Wm.  S.  Bush,*  1st  Lt.  marines;  Jacob  Sa- 

fo,   seaman  ;   Robert  Brice,  do.  ;    John     Brown,  do. 
ames  Read,  do.  ;  Caleb  Smith,    do.  ;  James  Ashford, 
do. 

Wounded- — Chas.  Morris,  IstLt.  dangerously  ;  John 
C.  Alwyn,  master,  slightly  ;  Richard  Dunn,  seaman, 
dangerously  ;  Geo.  Reynolds,  ord.  seaman,  danger 
ously  ;  Dan.  Lewis,  do.  dangerously  ;  Owen  Tayler, 
do.  dangerously  ;  Francis  Mullen,  marine,  slightly, 

Recapitulation. 

Killed. —  One  Lt.  of  marines  and  six  seaman, — Total 
killed  7. 

Wounded. — Two  officers,  four  seaman  and  one  ma 
rine. — Total  wounded  7. 

Total  killed  and  wounded,  14. 

ISAAC  HULL,  Capt. 
T.  J.  CHEW.  Purser. 
U.  S.  frigate  Constitution, 

Aug.  21,  1812, 

*  Lieut  William  S.  Bnsh  was  a  native  of  Wilmington  (Delaware) 
His  father,  Capt.  John  Bush,  was  a  meritorious  officer  in  the  revolu 
tionary  war,  and  he  was  the  nephew  of  the  brave  Major  Lewis  Bush, 
who  fell  supporting  the  cause  of  his  country  at  the  battle  of  Brandy-- 


THE  AMERICAN  NAVY.  137 

List  of  the  killed  and  wounded  on  board  the  Ouerriere.       . 

Killed. — H.  Ready,  2d  Lt.  and  fourteen  petty  offi 
cers,  seamen  and  marines. 

Wounded. — James  R.  Dacres,  Capt.  ;  Bart.  Kent, 
Lt.  ;  Robert  Scott,  master;  Samuel  Grant,  master'* 
mate  ;  James  Enslie,  midshipman,  and  fifty  seven  petty 
officers,  seaman  and  marines. 

Missing. — Lt.  James  Pullman,  Mr.  Gaston,  and  twen 
ty  two  seaman  and  marines. 

The  following  particulars  of  the  action,  are  commu 
nicated  by  an  officer  of  the  Constitution,  and  may  be 
considered  as  essentially  correct. 

Lat.  41  o  42'  N.  Ion.  55^  33'  W.  Thursday,  August 
20th,  fresh  breeze  from  N.  W.  and  cloudy  ;  at  2  P.  M. 
discovered  a  vessel  to  the  southward,  made  all  sail  in 
chase  ;  at  -3,  perceived  the  chase  to  be  a  ship  on  the 
starboard  tack,  close  hauled  to  the  wind  ;  hauled  S.  S. 
W.  ;  at  1-2  past  3,  made  out  the  chase  to  be  a  frigate  ; 
at  4,  coming  up  with  the  chase  very  fast  ;  at  1-4  before 
5,  the  chase  laid  the  main-top-sail  to  the  mast ;  took  in 
our  top-gallant-sails,  stay-sails  and  flying  jib  ;  took  a 
second  reef  in  the  top-sails,  hauled  the  courses  up,  sent 
the  royal  yards  down,  and  got  all  clear  for  action  ;  beat 
to  quarters,  on  which  the  crew  gave  three  cheers;  at 
5  the  chase  hoisted  three  English  ensigns,  at  5  minutes 
past  5,  the  enemy  commenced  firing  '.  at  20  minutes 
past  5,  set  our  colours,  one  at  each  mast-head,  and  one 
at  the  mizen-peak,  began  firing  on  the  enemy,  and  con 
tinued  to  fire  occasionally,  he  wearing  very  often,  and 
we  maneuvering  to  close  with  him,  and  avoid  being  ra 
ked  ;  at  6,  set  the  main  top-gallant  sail,  the  enemy  hav 
ing  bore  up  ;  at  5  minutes  past  6,  brought  the  enemy  to 
close  action,  standing  before  the  wind  ;  at  15  minutes 
past  6,  the  enemy's  mizen-mast  fell  over  on  the  star 
board  side  ;  at  20  minutes  past  6,  finding  we  were 
drawing  ahead  of  the  enemy,  luffed  short  round  his  bows,, 
to  rake  him  ;  at  25  minutes  past  6,  the  etiemy  fell  on 
12* 


138*  RISE  AND  PROGRESS  OF 

board  of  us,  his  bow-sprit  foul  of  our  mizen  rigging. 
We  prepared  to  board,  but  immediately  after,  his  fore 
and  main-mast  went  by  the  board,  and  it  was  deemed 
unnecessary.  Our  cabin  had  taken  fire  from  his  guns  ; 
but  soon  extinguished,  without  material  injury  ;  at  30 
minutes  past  6,  shot  ahead  of  the  enemy,  when  the 
firing  ceased  on  both  sides  ;  he  making  the  signal  of  sub 
mission  by  firing  a  gun  to  leeward  ;  set  fore-sail,  and 
hauled  to  the  eastward  to  repair  damage  ;  all  our  bra 
ces  and  much  of  our  standing  and  running  rigging  and 
some  of  our  spars  being  shot  a  way.  At  7  wore  ship,  and 
stood  under  the  lee  of  the  prize — sent  our  boat  on 
board,  which  returned  at  8,  with  Capt.  Dacres,late  of  his^ 
Majesty's  ship  Guerricre,  mounting  4^»  carriage  guns, 
and  manned  with  302  men  ;  got  our  boats  out,  and  kept 
them  employed  in  removing  the  prisoners  and  baggage 
from  the  prize  to  our  own  ship.  Sent  a  surgeon's  mate 
to  assist  in  attending  the  wounded  ;  wearing  ship  occa 
sionally  to  keep  in  the  best  position  to  receive  the  boats. 
At  20  minutes  before  2  A.  M.  discovered  a  sail  off 
the  larboard  beam,  standing  to  the  south  ;  saw  all  clear 
for  another  action  ;  at  3  the  sail  stood  off  again  ;  at  day 
lightwas  hailed  by  the  Lieut,  on  board  the  prize,  who  in 
formed  he  had  four  feet  of  water  in  the  hold,  and  that 
she  was  in  a  sinking  condition  ;  all  hands  employed  in 
removing  the  prisoners,  and  repairing  our  own  damage 
through  the  remainder  of  the  day.  Friday  the  21st 
commenced  with  light  breezes  from  the  northward, 
and  pleasant ;  our  boats  and  crew  still  employed  as  be 
fore.  At  3  P.  M.  made  the  signal  of  recal  for  our 
boat?,  having  received  all  the  prisoners.  They  imedi- 
ately  left  her  on  fire,  and  1-4  past  3  she  blew  up.  Our 
loss  in  the  action  was  7  killed  and  7  wounded  ;  among 
the  former,  Lieut.  Bush  of  the  marines,  and  among  the 
latter,  Lt.  Morris,  severely  ;  and  Mr.  Aylwin,  the  mas 
ter,  slightly.  On  the  part  of  the  enemy,  15  men  Iglled, 
and  64  wounded.  Among  the  former,  Lt.  Ready,  2d  of 


THE  AMERICAN  NAVY.  139 

the  ship  ;  among  the  latter,  Capt.  Dacres,  Lt.  Kent,  1st, 
Mr.  Scott,  master,  and  master's  mate. 

During  her  short  cruise,  the  Constitution,  besides  the 
above  gallant  achievement,  has  destroyed  two  English 
brigs;  one  with  lumber,  the  other  in  ballast,  and  recap 
tured  the  Adeline  of  Bath,  from  London  with  dry  goods, 
which  had  been  taken  by  the  British  sloop  Avenger, 
Capt.  Johnston,  of  16  guns  ; — and  which  Capt.  Hull 
manned  and  ordered  for  America. 

When  the  Guerriere  first  came  in  sight  of  the  Con 
stitution,  she  stood  toward  her,  as  if  with  an  intention  of 
bringing  her  to  immediate  action,  and  the  latter  put  her 
self  under  easy  sail  for  her  reception  ;  but  after  ap 
proaching  sufficiently  near,  to  observe  her  with  accura 
cy,  she  bore  up,  stood  broad  off  from  the  wind,  and 
seemed  inclined  to  take  French  leave  :  Capt.  Hull  was 
compelled  to  crowd  a  press  of  sail  upon  his  ship  in  or 
der  to  overtake  his  antagonists,  who  when  he  got  within 
gun  shot,  commenced  a  cannonade  ;  not  a  gun  was  re 
turned  from  the  Constitution,  whose  men  were  coolly 
turned  up  to  reef  topsajls,  send  down  top-gallant  yards, 
and  swing  the  lower  yards  with  chains  ;  this  business 
being  effected  with  deliberation  and  precision  under  a 
•galling  fire  from  the  enemy,  and  without  herself  return 
ing  a  single  shot,  the  Constitution  was  ranged  along  side 
of  the  enemy,  and  her  fire  opened  with  such  terrible 
effect,  that  in  25  minutes  the  Guerriere  was  demol 
ished  ! 

When  the  Guerriere's  mizen  mast  was  shot  away, 
Capt.  H.  in  the  enthusiasm  of  the  moment,  swung  his 
hat  round  his  head,  and,  in  true  sailor's  phraze,  exclaim 
ed,  "  Huzza  I  my  boys  !  we  have  made  a  brig  of  her  !" 

It  is  well  known,  that  when  Lieut.  Bush  of  the  marines 
received  his  mortal  wound,  the  Guerriere's  bow 
sprit  was  engaged  in  the  mizen  rigging  of  the  Constitu 
tion,  and  he  was  on  the  quarter  for  the  purpose  of 
boarding.  Lt.  Morris  was  in  the  same  situation,  and 
received  a  musket  ball  through  his  body.  Capt.  Hull 


1 40  RISE  AND  PROGRESS  OF 

was  about  joining  them  for  the  same  purpose,  and  when 
stepping  upon  the  arm-chest,  he  was  drawn  back  by  a 
tailor,  who  begged  he  would  not  get  up  there  unless  he 
took  off  those  SWABS,  pointing  to  his  epaulets.  At  that 
moment  the  two  ships  were  so  near  together,  that  one 
of  our  sailors,  having  discharged  his  boarding  pistol, 
and  missed  his  object,  threw  the  pistol  itself,  and  struck 
him  in  the  breast. 

The  flag  being  shot  away  from  the  Constitution' s 
main-top-gallarit  mast-head,  John  Hogan,  a  young  sailor, 
ascended  amid  a  shower  of  bullets  and  lashed  it  to  the 
mast.  This  brave  fellow  enjoys  a  pension  for  his  in 
trepidity. 

Lieutenant,  (now  Capt.)  MORRIS,  has  since  been  pro 
moted  to  the  command  of  the  frigate  Adams,  of  32 
guns.  He  has  ever  been  distinguished  in  the  navy  for 
his  unremitted  application  in  the  acquirement  of  nauti 
cal  information  ;  for  activity,  intelligence,  and  zeal  in 
the  faithful  discharge  of  his  duty.  His  gallant  conduct^ 
while  under  Commodore  Preble,  in  the  Tripolitao  war, 
gained  him  the  confidence  of  his  commander,  the  ad 
miration  of  his  companions  in  arms,  and  the  applause 
of  his  countrymen.  He  was  the  first  man  who  gained 
the  deck  of  the  frigate  Philadelphia,  on  that  ever  me 
morable  night,  when,  under  the  batteries  of  the  enemy, 
she  was  wrapt  in  flames  by  the  Spartan  band,  under 
Lieutenant  Decatur ;  for  which  brilliant  exploit  the 
President  most  justly  gave  the  latter  a  Captain^  com 
mission.  When  the  constitution  made  her  escape  front 
the  British  squadron  off  the  Capes  of  the  Chesapeake, 
to  Lieut.  Morris  did  the  magnanimous  Hull  give  much 
of  the  credit  acquired  in  that  masterly  retreat.  Those 
who  personally  know  the  sterling  worth  and  intrinsic, 
merit  of  Captain  Morris,  cannot  but  rejoice  that  hit 
manly  virtues  and  naval  talents  have  now  a  more  ample 
field  of  exertion  in  his  country's  cause. 

Capt.  Hull,  in  a  letter  to  the  Secretary  of  the  navy* 
pawed  a  handsome  ei^ogium  on  Capt.  Morris,  in  th« 


THE  AMERICAN  NAVY.  141 

following  passage  :  "  I  cannot  but  make  you  acquainted 
with  the  very  great  assistance  I  received  from  that  val 
uable  officer,  Lieut.  Morris,  in  bringing  the  ship  into 
action,  and  in  working  her  whilst  along  side  the  enemy  ; 
and  I  am  extremely  sorry  to  state,  that  he  is  badly 
wounded,  being  shot  through  the  body.  We  have  yet 
hopes  of  his  recovery,  when,  I  am  sure,  he  will  receive 
the  gratitude  of  his  country  for  this  and  the  many  gal 
lant  acts  he  has  done  in  the  service/1* 

The  Constitution  made  several  other  valuable  cap 
tures,  and  arrived  in  Boston  on  the  28th  of  August,  when 
Capt.  Hull  and  his  brave  officers  and  crew  were  most 
courteously  received,  and  most  hospitably  treated. 
When  the  festive  scenes  at  Boston  were  closed,  Capt. 
Hull  set  out  for  Washington.  On  his  way  he  was  re 
ceived  with  the  highest  testimonials  of  respect  ;  present 
ed  with  the  freedom  of  all  the  large  cities,  as  he  passed, 
together  with  several  valuable  presents  in  plate,  &c. 
Congress,  highly  sensible  of  the  merits  of  this  action,  as 
well  as  the  loss  they  had  sustained  in  being  obliged  to 
destroy  the  prize  at  sea,  voted  as  a  gratuitous  donation 
to  the  crew  of  the  Constitution,  the  sum  of  fifty  thou 
sand  dollars.  The  government  bestowed  honourable 
promotions  upon  the  truly  meritorious  sailing  master, 
and  lieutenants;  and  the  whole  crew  applauded  the 
act. 

Soon  after  the  capture  of  the  Guerriere,  Commodore 
Porter  entered  the  Delaware,  and  announced,  that 
shortly  after  he  sailed  from  New  York,  he  had  fallen  in 
with  a  British  fleet  of  merchantmen,  under  convoy  of 

*A  few  days  previous  to  this  action,  the  following  challenge  was 
inscribed  upon  the  register  of  the  John  Adams. 

"The  Guerriere,  44  guns,  300  men,  will  be  happy  to  see  the  Presi 
dent,  Commodore  Rodgers,  out-side  the  Hook,  or  any  other  large 
frigate,  to  have  a  sociable  tete-a-tete" 

The  Guerriere  was  so  much  of  a  wreck,  that  she  was  burnt  at  sea, 
the  next  day;  but  the  Constitution  suffered  so  slightly,  that  she  actu 
ally  cleared  ship  for  action  immediately  after  the  battle,  when  a  sail, 
supposed  to  be  an  enemy,  appeared  in  view, 


142  RISE   AND  PROGRESS  OF 

one  frigate,  and  that  he  had  been  so  successful  as  to  cut 
out  a  transport  brig,  containing  about  150  soldiers., 
which  he  permitted  the  Capt.  to  ransom  for  14, 000  dol 
lars,  after  having  disarmed,  and  parolled  the  troops. 
That  on  the  1  3th  of  August,  he  fell  in  with  the  British 
iloop  of  war  Alert,  and  captured  her  in  eight  minute§. 

ESSEX  AND  ALERT. 

Letters  from   Capt.  Porter  of  the  Essex  Frigate  to  the  Secretary    of 

the    Navy. 

At  Sea,  August  17,  1813. 

SIR, 

I  have  the  honour  to  inform  you,  that  on  the  1 3th,  hi* 
B  rtannic  Majesty's  sloop  of  war  Alert,  Capt.  T.  L.  P. 
Laugharne,  ran  down  on  our  weather  quarter,  gave 
three  cheers,  and  commenced  an  action  (if  so  trifling  a 
skirmish  deserves  the  name)  and  after  eight  mintes  firing 
§truck  her  colours,  with  seven  feet  wrater  in  her  hold, 
much  cut  to  pieces,  and  3  men  wounded. 

I  need  not  inform  you  that  the  officers  and  crew  of  the 
Essex  behaved  as  I  trust  all  Americans  will  in  such  ca 
ses,  and  it  is  only  to  be  regretted,  that  so  much  zeal  and 
activity  could  not  have  been  displayed  on  an  occasion 
that  would  have  done  them  more  honour.  The  Esse^ 
has  not  received  the  slightest  injury. 

The  Alert  was  out  for  the  purpose  of  taking  the  Hor 
net ! 

I  have  the  honour  to  be  with  great  respect, 
your  obedient  servant, 

D.  PORTER, 

Hon.  PAUL  HAMILTON, 

Sec">y  of  Navy. 

The  Alert  mounted  twenty  18lb.  carronades,  [rated 
in  Steel's  list  16,]  and  had  130  men. 


THE  AMERICAN  NAVY. 


At  Sea,  August  20,  1812. 

SJR, 

Finding  myself  much  embarrassed  by  the  Alert,  from 
the  great  number  of  prisoners  we  have  already  made 
(about  500,)  I  conclude  that  before  our  arrival  in  Amer 
ica  the  number  would  be  considerably  augmented,  and 
as  I  found  my  provisions  and  water  getting  short,  and 
being  well  satisfied  that  a  plan  had  been  organized  bj 
them  for  rising  on  the  ship  in  the  event  of  an  engage 
ment,  I  considered  it  to  be  for  the  interest  of  my  coun 
try  to  get  clear  of  them  as  speedily  as  possible,  particu 
larly  as  I  was  well  assured  that  immediately  on  their 
arrival  at  St.  Johns,  an  equal  number  of  my  countrymen 
would  be  released  and  mid  a  sure  and  immediate  con 
veyance.  I  therefore  drew  up  written  stipulations 
corresponding  with  the  accompanying  letters  ;  threw 
all  the  guns  of  the  Alert  overboard  ;  withdrew  from  her 
all  the  men  belonging  to  the  Essex  ;  appointed  Lieut.  J. 
P.  Wilmer  to  command  her  as  a  cartel,  put  all  my  pris 
oners  on  board  her,  and  despatched  her  for  St.  Johns,  in 
Newfoundland,  with  orders  to  proceed  from  thence  to 
New  York  with  such  Americans  as  he  may  receive  in 
exchange. 

At  a  more  suitable  opportunity  I  shall  do  myself  the 
honour  to  lay  before  you  copies  of  every  paper  rela 
tive  to  this  transaction,  and  sincerely  hope  that  my  con 
duct  ip  this  affair  may  meet  you  with  approbation. 

As  the  Essex  has  been  has  been  so  annoying  about 
Bermuda,  Nova  ocotia,  and  Newfoundland,  I  expect  I 
shall  have  to  run  the  gauntlet,  through  their  cruisers; 
you  may  however  rest  assured,  that  all  a  ship  of  her 
uze  can  do  shall  be  done,  and  whatever  may  be  our  fat« 
our  country  shall  never  blush  for  us. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  &c. 

Hon.  PAUL  HAMILTON, 

Sec'y  of  Navy. 


144  RISE  AND  PROGRESS  OF 

We  are  obliged  to  omit  the  correspondence  between 
Captains  Porter  and  Laugharne,  in  which  it  was  finally 
agreed,  that  the  Alert,  after  being,  disarmed,  should  go 
to  Newfoundland,  as  a  cartel,  with  Brith  prisoners. — 
The  Alert  afterwards  returned  to  New  York  with 
American  prisoners. 

Extract  of  a  letter  from  Admiral  Duckworth  to  the  Secretary  of  the 
Navy. 

St.  Johns,  Newfoundland,  Aug.  31,  1812. 

A  vessel  captured  as  the  Alert  has  been,  could  not 
have  been  vested  with  the  character  of  a  cartel,  until 
she  had  entered  a  port  of  the  nation  by  which  she  had 
been  captured,  and  been  regularly  fitted  out  from  thence. 
For  every  prize  might  otherwise  be  provided  with  a 
flag  of  truce,  and  proposals  for  an  exchange  of  prison 
ers  ;  and  rendered  thus  effectually  secure  against  the 
possibility  of  recapture  ;  while  the  cruising  ship  would 
be  enabled  to  keep  at  sea  with  an  undiminished  crew  ; 
the  cartels  being  always  navigated  by  the  prisoners  of 
war. 

It  is  utterly  inconsistent  with  the  laws  of  war  to  re 
cognise  the  principle  upon  which  this  arrangement  has 
been  made. 

Nevertheless  I  am  willing  to  give  a  proof  of  my  res 
pect  for  the  liberality  with  which  the  captain  of  the  Es- 
se^c  has  acted,  in  more  than  one  instance,  towards  the 
British  subjects  who  have  fallen  into  his  hands  ;  of  the 
sacred  obligation  that  is  always  felt,  to  fulfil  the  engage 
ments  of  a  British  officer  ;  and  of  my  confidence  in  the 
disposition  of  his  royal  highness  the  Prince  Regent,  to 
allay  the  violence  of  war  by  encouraging  a  reciproca 
tion  of  that  courtesy  by  which  its  pressure  upon  individ 
uals  may  be  so  essentially  diminished. 

On  the  4th  of  this  month,  a  midshipman  of  the  Essex 
arrived,  and  presented  to  me  a  letter  from  his  captain, 
proposing  an  exchange  for  86  British  prisoners.  The 


THE  AMERICAN  NAVY.  145 

midshipman  had  however  been  placed  alone  in  the 
charge  of  one  of  the  captured  vessels,  with  86  prisoners, 
to  conduct  them  to  this  port.  A  list  of  10  prisoners  of 
the  same  description,  disposed  of  in  the  same  manner, 
has  been  sent  to  me  by  the  commander  of  the  Ameri 
can  private  armed  schooner  the  Rossie. 

It  is  incumbent  upon  me  to  protest  in  the  strongest 
manner  against  the  practice  of  conducting  exchanges 
upon  terms  like  these  ;  and  to  signify  to  you  that  it  will 
be  utterly  impossible  for  me  to  incur,  in  future,  the  re 
sponsibility  of  assenting  to  them. 

Commodore  Porter  further  states,  that  on  the  30th 
of  August,  he  descried  a  sail  standing  towards  him,  and  he 
immediately  cleared  ship  for  action,  and  stood  towards 
the  enemy  ;  that  when  nightintervened,  he  hoisted  lights 
as  beacons,  to  the  enemy,  which  were  regularly  answer 
ed,  but  for  some  cause  not  satisfactorily  explained,  the 
enemy  disappeared,  and  in  the  morning  was  not  to  be 
found.  Also,  that  on  the  4th  of  Sept.  the  Essex  com 
menced  the  chase  of  a  brig,  when  two  ships  of  war  were 
in  sight ;  but  owing  to  light  winds  she  made  her  escape. 
That  the  Essex  was  chased  in  her  turn  by  two  ships  of 
war  ;  b^t  by  her  skilful  manceuvering,  had  the  good 
fortune  to  make  hei  escape. 


CHAPTER    X. 

Naval  Operations  Continued. 

On  the  8th  of  Oct.  Commodore  Rodgers  sailed  from 
Boston,  with  the  following  squadron,  on  a  cruise  ;  viz. 
The  frigates  President,  United  States,  Congress,  and 
brig  Argus.  On  the  13th,  a  gale  parted  the  squadron, 
and  shortly  after  the  President  and  Congress  fell  in 
13 


1 4(5  RISE  AND  PROGBESS  OF 

with  and  eaptured  the  British  packet  Swallow,  with 
200,000  dollars  in  specie  on  board,  which  they  brought 
safe  into  Boston,  on  the  SOih  of  Dec.  The  Argua 
cruistd  off  the  West  India  station  BO  success  fully,  that  she 
returned  into  port  about  the  middle  of  Jan.  1813,  with 
prizes  to  the  amount  of  about  200,000  dollars.  She 
was  no  less  successful  in  eluding  and  escaping  the  arm 
ed  ships,  and  squadrons  of  the  enemy,  than  in  capturing 
and  securing  her  prizes  ;  and  such  was  her  adroitness  in 
nautical  skill,  that  she  actually  captured  and  manned 
one  of  h  erprizes  within  pistol  shot  of  a  British  74. 

On  the  18th  of  October,  captain  Jones,  in  the  United 
States  sloop  of  war  Wasp,  of  sixteen  guns,  fell  in  with, 
and  captured,  his  Britannic  majesty's  sloop  of  war  Frol 
ic,  of  eighteen  guns,  captain  Winyates,  after  a  sharp  and 
desperate  action  of  forty-three  minutes.  The  Frolic 
lost  thirty  killed  and  fifty  wounded  ;  the  Wasp  five  kil 
led  and  five  wounded. 

His  Britannic  majesty's  ship  of  war  Poictiers,  of  74 
guns,  fell  in  with,  and  captured  the  Wasp  and  her  prize, 
aoon  after  the  action. 

THE   WASP  AND  FFOL1C. 

Copy  of  a  letter  from  Captain  Jon«?s,  late  of  ihe  IT.  States'   sloop  of 
war  Wasp,  to  the  Secretary  of  the  Navy,  dated 

.  New-York^  24/A  Nov.    1812. 
Si*, 

I  here  avail  myself  of  the  first  opportunity,  of  inform 
ing  you  of  the  occurrences  of  our  cruise,  which  termin 
ated  in  the  capture  of  the  Wasp,  on  the  18th  of  Oct.  bj 
the  Poictiers,  74  guns,  while  a  wreck,  for  damages  re 
ceived  in  an  engagement  with  the  British  sloop  of  war 
Frolic,  of  22  guns  ;  sixteen  of  them  321b.  carronades, 
and  four  1  -;  pounders,  on  the  main  deck,  and  two  12 
pounders,  carronades,  on  the  top-gallant  forecastle,  ma 
king  her  superior  in  force  to  us,  by  four  12  pounders. 


THE  AMERICAN  NAVY.  147 

The  Frolic  had  struck  to  us,  and  was  taken  posession 
pof,  about  two  hours  before  our  surrendering  to  the 
Poictiers. 

We  had  left  the  Delaware,  on  the  13th — the  16th, 
had  a  heavy  gale,  in  which  we  lost  our  jib-boom,  and 
two  men.  Half  past  eleven,  on  the  night  of  the  17th, 
in  the  lat.  of  37°  northv  Ion.  65°  west,  we  saw  several 
sail,  two  of  them  appearing  very  large  ;  we  stood  from 
them,  for  some  time  ;  then  shortened  sail  and  steered, 
the  remainder  of  the  night,  the  course  we  had  perceived 
them  on.  At  day-light,  on  Sunday  the  18th,  we  saw 
them  ahead — gave  chase,  and  soon  discovered  them  to 
be  a  convoy,  of'six  sail,  under  the  protection  of  a  sloop 
of  war  ;  four  of  their  large  ships  mounting  from  16  to 
18  guns.  At  32  minutes  past  11,  A.  M.  we  engaged 
the  sloop  of  war,  having  first  received  her  fire,  at  the 
distance  of  50  or  60  yards,  which  space  we  gradually 
lessened,  until  we  laid  her  on  board,  after  a  well  support 
ed  fire  of  forty-three  minutes  ;  and,  although  so  near, 
while  loading  the  last  broadside,  that  our  rammers  were 
ehoved  against  the  side  of  the  enemy,  our  men  exhibited 
the  same  alacrity,  which  they  had  done  during  the 
whole  of  the  action.  They  immediately  surrendered, 
•upon  our  gaining  their  forecastle,  so  that  no  loss  wa» 
sustained,  on  either  side,  after  boarding. 

Our  main  top-mast  was  shot  away,  between  4  and  5 
minutes  after  the  commencement  of  the  firing,  and  fal 
ling,  together  with  the  main  topsail  yard,  across  the  lar 
board  fore  and  fore  topsail  braces,  rendered  our  head 
yards  unmanageable  the  remainder  of  the  action  ;  at  8 
minutes  the  gaft  and  mizen  top-gallant  mast  came  down  ; 
and,  at  twenty  minutes  from  the  beginning  of  the  action, 
every  brace,  and  most  of  the  rigging,  was  shot  away, 
A  few  minutes  after  separating  from  the  Frolic,  both  her 
masts  fell  upon  deck  ;  the  main  mast  going  close  by  the 
deck,  and  the  fore  mast  twelve  or  fifteen  feet  above  it« 
The  courage  and  exertions  of  the  officers  and  crew,  ful 
ly  answered  my  expectations  and  wishes  :  Lieut.  Bid- 


J48  RISE  AND  PROGRESS  OF 

die's  active  conduct,  contributed  much  to  our  success, 
by  the  exact  attention  paid  to  every  department,  during 
the  engagement — and  the  animating  example  he  afford 
ed  the  crew,  by  his  intrepidity.  Lieutenants  Rodgers, 
Booth,  and  Mr.  Rapp,  shewed,  by  the  incessant  fire  from 
their  divisions,  that  they  were  not  to  be  surpassed  in 
resolution  or  skill.  Mr.  Knight,  and  every  other  officer, 
acted  with  a  courage  and  promptitude,  highly  honoura 
ble  ;  and,  I  trust,  have  given  assurance,  that  they  may 
be  relied  on,  whenever  their  services  may  be  required. 
I  could  not  ascertain  the  exact  loss  of  the  enemy,  as 
many  of  the  dead  lay  buried  under  the  masts  and  spars, 
that  had  fallen  upon  deck,  which  two  hours  exertion  had 
not  sufficiently  removed.  Mr.  Biddle,  who  had  charge 
of  the  Frolic,  states,  that,  from  what  he  saw,  and  from 
information  from  the  officers,  the  number  killed  must 
have  been  about  thirty,  and  that  of  the  wounded,  about 
forty  or  fifty.  Of  the  killed,  is  her  first  Lieutenant,  and 
sailing  master  ;  of  the  wounded,  Captain  Winyates,  and 
the  second  Lieutenant. 

We  had  five  killed,  and  five  wounded,  as  per  list  ; 
the  wounded  are  recovering.  Lieut.  Claxton,  who  wag 
confined  by  sickness,  left  his  bed  a  little  previous  to  the 
engagement ;  and,  though  too  weak  to  be  at  his  division, 
remained  upon  deck,  and  showed,  by  his  composed 
manner  of  noting  its  incidents,  that  we  had  lost,  by  hi* 
illness,  the  services  of  a  brave  officer. 
I  am,  &LC. 

JAMES    JONES. 

The  Hon.  P.  HAMILTON, 

Sec^y  of  Navy. 

The  frigate  United  States,  Commodore  Decatur, 
BOOH  after  she  was  separated  from  the  squadron  in  the 
gale,  fell  in  with  and  captured  H.  B.  Majesty's  frigate 
Macedonian,  J.  S.  Garden  commodore,  after  an  action 
of  90  minutes. 


THE  AMERICAN  NAVY.  '    149 

CAPTURE  OF  THE  MACEDONIAN. 

Copy  of  a  letter  from  Commodore  Decatur,  to  the   Secretary  of  tb* 
Navy,  dated 

U.  S.  Ship,  United  States, 

At  Sea,  Oct.  30,  1812. 

SIR — I  have  the  honour  to  inform  you,  that  on  the 
125th  inst.  in  lat.  29°  north,  Ion.  29°  30'  west,  we  fell 
in  with,  and  after  an  action  of  an  hour  and  a  half,  cap 
tured  his  Britannic  majesty's  ship  Macedonian,  com 
manded  by  Caj)t.  John  Garden,  and  mounting  49  car 
riage-guns — the  odd  gun  shifting.  She  is  a  frigate  of 
the  largest  class,  two  years  old,  four  months  out  of  dock, 
and  reputed  one  of  the  best  sailers  in  the  British  ser 
vice.  The  enemy,  being  to  windward,  had  the  advan 
tage  of  engaging  us  at  his  own  distance,  which  was  go 
great,  that,  for  the  first  half  hour,  we  did  not  use  our 
carronades  ;  and  at  no  moment  was  he  within  the  com 
plete  effect  of  our  musquetry  or  grape;  to  this  circum 
stance,  and  a  heavy  swell,  which  was  on  at  the  time,  I 
ascribe  the  unusual  length  of  the  action. 

The  enthusiasm  of  every  officer,  seaman,  and  ma 
rine,  on  board  this  ship,  on  discovering  the  enemy — 
their  steady  conduct  in  battle,  and  precision  of  their 
fire,  could  not  be  surpassed — where  all  met  my  fullest 
expectations,  it  would  be,  unjust,  in  me,  to  discriminate. 
Permit  me,  however,  to  recommend  to  your  particular 
notice,  my  1st  Lieutenant.  VYm.  II.  Allen ;  he -has  serv 
ed  with  me  upwards  of  5  years;  and  to  his  unremitted 
exertions,  in  diciplining  the  crew,  is  to  be  imputed  the 
obvious  superiority  of  our  gunnery,  exhibited  inHhe 
result  of  this  contest. 

Subjoined  is  a  list  of  the  killed  and  wounded,  on  both 
fides.     Our  loss,  compared   with  that  of  the    enemy., 
will  appear  small.     Amongst  our  wounded,  you  will  ob 
serve  the  name  of  Lieut.  Funk,  who  died  a  few  hour* 
13* 


150  R!SE  AND  PROGRESS  OF 

after  (he  action  ;  he  was  an  officer  of  great  gallantrjr 
and  promise,  and  the  service  has  sustained  a  severe 
loss  in  his  death. 

The  Macedonian  lost  her  mizen  mast,  fore  and  main 
£op  masts,  and  main  yard,  and  was  much  cut  up  in  her 
hull ;  the  damage  sustained,  by  this  ship,  was  not  such 
*8  to  render  her  return  into  port  necessary  ;  and,  had  I 
not  deemed  it  important  that  we  should  see  our  prize 
in,  should  have  continued  our  cruise. 

With  the  highest,  &c. 

STEPHEN  DECATUR. 


List  of  killed  and  wounded,  on  board  the  United  State*. 

Killed— Privates  5 

Wounded — 1  Lieut,  and  6  privates  7 

Total,  killed  and  wounded,         -         -         12 


On  board  the  Macedonian* 

Killed,  36 

Wounded — 68,  viz.   1st  and  3d  Lieutenants, 
Master's  Mate,  2  Midshipman,  and  seamen,  68 

Total,  killed  and  wounded  of  the  enemy;  104 

S.  DECATUR. 

Commodore  Decatur  had  on  board  his  frigate  a  little 
$>oy,  whose  father,  a  noble  seaman,  had  died,  and  left 
the  little  fellow  and  his  mother  in  poverty.  As  the 
Macedonian  hove  in  sight,  and  the  seamen  of  the  United 
States  frigate  were  clearing  ship  for  action,  the  noble 
lad  run  up  to  the  Commodore,  faying — 4 'Captain,  I 
wish  nay  name  might  be  put  down  on  the  roll'1 — "  Wh/ 


THE  AMERICAN  NAVY.  K5f 

eo  my  lad  ?"  "So  that  I  can  draw  a  share  of  the  prize 
money,  Sir,"  answered  the  young  hero.  His  request 
was  granted;  after  the  Macedonian  struck,  the  Com 
modore  called  the  young  lad  to  him — "  Well  Bill,  we 
have  taken  her,  and  your  share  of  the  prize  if  we  get 
her  safe  in,  may  be  about  $200 — what  will  you  do 
with  it  ?" — "  I'll  send  half  of  it  to  my  mother,  Sir,  and 
the  other  half  shall  send  me  to  school."  Delighted 
with  a  spirit  so  noble,  and  yet  so  affectionate,  he  took 
the  fine  little  fellow  into  his  protection — obtained  for 
him  a  midshipman's  warrant — attended  to  his  educa 
tion — and  he  now  bids  fair  to  emulate  and  possibly  to 
equal  the  achievements  of  his  noble  patron. 

In  the  hottest  of  the  engagement,  and  at  the  moment 
the  mizen  mast  of  the  {Macedonian  went  by  the  board,., 
a  seaman  actively  engaged  in  working  his  gun,  exclaim 
ed  to  his  comrades — "•  Aye,  aye,  we  have  imdc  a  brig 
of  her."  Being  overheard  by  the  Commodore,  he 
said,  u  Well  my  boys,  take  good  sight  at  your  object, 
and  she  will  soon  be  a  sloop  ;  and  immediately  turning 
to  another  gunner,  said — "  My  good  fcliow,  aim  at  the 
yellow,"  (a  stripe  in  the  Mace  .Ionian  between  wind 
and  water)  "  her  rigging  is  going  fast  enough  ;  she  must 
have  a  little  more  hulling."  A  favorite  comrade  of  one 
of  the  seamen  having  fallen  dosperate'y  wounded  by 
his  side,  he  exclaimed,  "ah,  my  poor  fellow,  1  must 
attend  to  the  enemy  a  few  minutes  longer — his  colours 
must  soon  come  down  ;  and  then  I  will  attend  to  you'*" 
— "  Let  me  live  till  I  hear  tint,"  said  the  agonized  ho- 
ro,  "  and  I  shall  want  attention  from  nobody." 

That  admirable  seamen,  1st  Lieut.  W.  H.  Allen,  in 
this  action,  beheld  the  practical  result  of  the  disci 
pline  he  had  introduced  into  this  noble  ship,  and  unri 
valled  crew,  and  which  occasioned  Cornm.  Dccatur't 
high  commendation*  So  rapid  was  the  firing,  and  so 
completely  was  the  fiigalc  at  one  time  enveloped  in 
fire  and  smoke,  that  the  crew  of  the  Macedonian  gave 
three  eheers,  supposing  her  to  be  on  fire.  Their 


1 52  RISE  A ND  PROG RESS  OF 

cheers  were  soon  converted  to  groans  by  the  thicken 
ing  messengers  of  death  which  poured  into  their  ill  fa 
ted  ship. 

After  the  Macedonian  struck   her  colours,  and  her 
commander   ascended  the   quarter  deck  of  the  United 
States,   a  scene  peculiarly  affecting  followed.     With  a 
dignified  grace,  he  approached  Comm.  Dccatur  and  of 
fered  him  his   sword.     With   a  benign  suavity,    and  a 
manner  wholly  unassuming,  the  Commodore  said,  "  Sir, 
I  cannot  receive  the  sword  of  a  man  who  has  so  brave 
ly  defended  his  ship,  bat  I  will  receive  your  hand.15     It 
was  the  hand  of  Capt.  John  Surnam  Garden,  with  whom 
he  had  the  interesting  interview  mentioned  in  a   prece 
ding  chapter.     Upon  recognizing  each  other,  silence 
was  the   most  impressive  eloquence.     The  fortune  of 
battle    had  placed  one  gallant  hero  in  the  hands  of  an 
other;  and   they  steadfastly  looked  at  each  other  with 
those  kind  of  feeling-;  which  would  be  disgraced  by  any 
description.      The  affable  grace  of   Comm.  Decatur. 
put  the  gallant  Garden  as  much  at  ease  as  a  conquered 
hero  could  be   placed  in  the  hour  of  defeat,     fie  had 
left  his  ship  almost  a  complete  wreck,  and  could  discov 
er  but  little  of  the  effects  of  the  severe  conflict  in  the 
frigate   that  had  so  effectually  conquered   her.     The 
Macedonian,  when  she  struck,  was  in  a  state  little  better 
than  that  of  the  Guerriere,  Java,  and  Peacock  ;  the  last 
of  which  sunk  even  before  the  whole  crew  could  be  ta 
ken  out,  and  the  two  others    were  abandoned   by   th« 
captors  and  sunk. 

But  the  injury  done  to  the  ship  is  forgotten  when  the 
slaughter  made  amongst  the  crew  is  considered.  An 
officer  of  the  frigate  United  States,  besides  communica 
ting  many  other  interesting  particulars,  thus  expressed 
himself: — u  After  securing  our  prisoners,  I  was  sent  on 
board  the  prize  to  assist  in  fitting  her  out,  which  we  did 
in  a  few  days  under  jury-masts.  I  assure  you  thr 
scene  she  exhibited  just  after  the  action,  was  dis 
tressing  to  humanity.  -'  Fragments  of  the  dead  were  dii- 


THE  AMERICAN    NAVY.  153 

tributcd  in  every  direction — the  decks  covered  with 
blood — one  continued  agonizing  jell  of  the  unhappy, 
wounded  victims  : — a  scene  so  horrible  of  my  fellow 
creatures,  I  assure  you,  deprived  me  very  much  of  the 
pleasure  of  victory.1'  * 

Commodore  Decatur  arrived  safe  with  his  prize  at 
New  London,  on  the  4th  of  December,  1812,  win  re  he 
was  hailed  by  the  citizens  with  the  warmest  expressions 
of  enthusiastic  joy.  After  despatching  Lieut.  Hamil 
ton  to  Washington  with  the  flag  of  the  Macedonian,  and 

*It  will  be  recollected  that  the  official  report  states  the  killed  on 
board  the  Ma-edonian  to  be  3G— wounded — 63  Fifty-three  of  th« 
wounded  died  afterwards  of  their  wounds  ;  making  80  in  the  whole; 
— more  lives  than  were  lost  hy  the  Americans  in  all  their  battles 
with  the  Tripolilans!  And,  what  will  astonish  every  reader,  who  ha» 
not,  like  the  writer,  critically  examined  every  official  report  to  as 
certain  the  fact— tliis  loss  of  human  lives  on  hoard  the  Macedonian, 
by  instant  death  or  wounds  which  proved  mortal,  was  greater  than 
that  of  the  Americans  in  every  one  of  the  actions  between  single 
ships,  where  victories  were  won  ;  and  al-o  in  the  victory  upon  Lake 
Erie,  during  the  war  with  Great  Britain  !  Equally  astonishing  is  it 
that  this  loss  is  only  six  less  than  that  sustained  by  the  Essex,  of  32 
guns,  in  the  unparalleled  contest  with  the  frigate  Phosne  of  36  — 
and  sloop  of  war  Cherub,  of  28— of  the  President  44,  with  the  Ma 
jestic  (razee)  frigates  Eridymion,  Pomone,  Tenedos,  nnd  brig  Des 
patch  -  and  of  the  Argus  of  18,  with  the  Pelican  of  21  guns  !  — 

*  The  following  is  an  extract  from  the  Muster  Roll  of  the  Macedo 
nian,  when  captured  by  comm.  Decatur. 

**  Christopher  Dodge,  American,  aged  32,  prost  by  the  Thisbe,  IaU 
Dedaigneuse,  shipped  in  the  Macedonian  July  1,  1810- 

Peter  Johnson,  American,  aged  32,  prest  bv  the  Dedalus,  entered 
August  24,  18JO. 

John  Alexander,  of  Cape  Ann,  aged  29,  prest  by  the  Dedalus,  en 
tered  August  25,  1810. 

C.  Dolphin,  of  Connecticut,  aged  22,  prest  by  the  Narnur,  late  Ce 
res,  entered  August  4, 1810. 

Major  Cook,  of  Baltimore,  aged  27,  prest  by  the  Royal  William, 
late  Mercury,  entered  Sept.  10,  1810. 

William  Thompson,  of  Boston,  aged  20,  prest  at  Lisbon,  entered 
Jan.  1C,  1811,  drowned  at  sea  in  boarding  an  American! 

John  Wallis.  American,  aged  23,  prest  by  the  Triton,  entered  Feb. 
16, 1311,  killed  in  action  in  the  Macedonian  ! 

John  Caru,  American,  aged  27,  prest  by  the  North  Star,  entered 
April  13, 1811,  killed  ia  action  in  the  Macedonian  .!" 


154  RISE  AND  PROGRESS  OF 

receiving  the  thanks  of  the  Mayor,  Aldermen  and  Com- 
snon  Council,  he  partook  of  the  honours  of  a  splendid 
ball,  and  hastily  prepared  to  conduct  his  prizes  to  Nevr 
York.  On  (he  8th  of  January,  1813,  Lieut.  Hamilton 
announced  the  arrival  of  the  flag  of  the  Macedonian  at 
Washington.  It  was  upon  a  brilliant:  occasion,  in  the 
midst  of  a  splendid  ball,  given  in  honor  of  the  officers 
of  the  navy,  generally  >  and  to  celebrate  the  memorable 
reception  of  the  flag  of  the  British  frigate  Guerriere. 

When  the  flag  of  the  Macedonian  was  announced  by 
Lieut.  Hamilton,  it  is  impossible  to  express  the  sensa 
tions  thatelectriiicd  the  whole  assembly  ;  but  when  they 
saw  the  British  banner  borne  triumphantly  through  the 
hall,  and  presented  to  Mrs.  Madison,  a  rapturous  scene 
of  enthusiastic  joy  ran  through  the  hall,  and  gladdened 
every  heart.  These  scenes  at  Washington  were  no 
sooner  closed,  than  the  city  of  New  York  presented  a 
new  theatre  of  action.  Here,  by  a  fortuitous  concur 
rence  of  events,  the  heroic  conquerors  of  the  Guerriere, 
the  Frolic,  and  the  Macedonian,  once  more  joined  their 
hearts  and  their  hand?  in  naval  fellowship.  The  corpo 
ration  of  the  city  of  New  York  prepared  a  splendid  en 
tertainment,  in  honour  of  their  guests.  "  A  capacious 
hall,''  says  the  author  of  the  Life  of  Decatur,  "  was 
colonaded  with  masts  of  ships,  and  the  flags  of  all  the 
world  were  suspended  upon  them.  Upon  each  table 
was  a  miniature  ship,  displaying  the  4  star-spangled  ban 
ner'  of  America.  ^  An  area  of  about  20  by  10  feet,  was 
filled  with  water,  and  a  miniature  of  the  United  States 
frigate  was  floating  in  it.  A  mainsail,  33  by  16  feet,  was 
tuspended  in  the  rear  of  the  artificial  lake,  upon  which 
was  painted  the  American  Eagle,  holding  in  his  beak 
a  scroll  with  these  words,  c  Our  children  areihe  property 
of  our  Country."**  One  beautiful  transparency  repre 
sented  the  American  Eagle,  holding  in  his  mouth  thre« 
wedal.lions.  Upon  one  was  inscribed  'Hull  and  th«i 

*  Toast  by  Commodore  Pecalur's  father. 


THE  AMERICAN  NAVY,  153 

Guerriere,1  on  another,  'Jones  and  the  Frolic,'  on  an 
other,  4  Decaturand  the  Macedonian."  Another  splen 
did  trans parency  represented  the  frigate  Constitution 
taking  the  Guerriere  in  a  blaze,  August  1 9th,  1812  ;  the 
frigate  United  States  taking  the  Macedonian,  Oct.  25th* 
1812;  the  Wasp  taking  the  Frolic,  Nov.  I8th,  1812. 
Upon  displaying  these  inimitable  representations,  the 
whole  company  expressed  their  feelings  by  nine  animat 
ed  cheers." 

"  The  corporation  of  the  city  of  JNfcw  York,  also  gave 
to  the  whole  crew  of  the  frigate  United  States  a  splendid 
dinner,  in  the  same  hall  in  which  Commodore  Decatur 
dined.  The  decorations  were  precisely  as  just  describ 
ed,  excepting  the  lake  in  which  the  miniature  frigate 
wafted,  which  was  filled  with  grog-,  but  produced  not 
the  least  excess  amongst  these  well  disciplined  sailors. 
The  crew  exceeded  400,  and  were  neatly  dressed  in 
bluejackets  and  trowsers,  scarlet  vests,  and  glazed  hats. 
As  they  marched  from  the  frigate  to  the  city  hotel,  re* 
iterated  applauses  were  given  by  the  citizen?.  The 
splendour  of  the  hall — the  miniature  lake  and  frigate — 
and  above  all,  the  transparencies  of  the  victories  of  the 
United  States,  Constitution,  a^d  Wasp,  carried  their 
astonishment  almost  to  delirium.  The  boatswain1! 
whistle  kept  them  in  perfect  order,  and  4  Yankee  Doo 
dle/  from  the  inimitable  band  of  the  Macedonian,  in 
spired  them  with  ardent  patriotism.  After  dinner,  the 
boatswain  thus  answered  Alderman  Vanderbilt's  elegant 
address. 

"l  In  behalf  of  my  shipmates,  I  return  our  sincere 
thanks  to  the  corporation  of  the  city  of  New  York,  for 
the  honour  which  they  this  clay  have  done  us.  Rest  as 
sured,  Sir,  that  it  will  be  always  our  wish,  to  deserve 
the  good  opinion  of  our  countrymen."  Three  heartj 
cheers,  from  the  whole  crew,  evinced  their  approbation 
of  the  boatswain's  sentiments.  They  then  drank  to  thin 
toast,  so  perfectly  in  character  with  American  tars  : 

*"  American  ships,  ail  orer  the  ocean." 


156  RISE  AND  PROGRESS  OF 

At  this  time,  Commodore  Decatur  and  his  accomplished 
Lieutenant,  VV.  H.  Al!en,  entered  the  hall*  The  pres 
ence  of  the  Commodore  heightened  their  previous  rap 
ture.  He  gave  as  a  toast : 

tk<Free  Trade  and  no  impressments." 

which  was  received  with  an  enthusiasm  peculiar  to  sail 
ors.  He  communicated  to  them  the  request  of  the 
managers  of  the  Theatre,  that  they  would  attend  in  the 
evening:  and  the  whole  pit  was  appropriated  for  their 
accommodation.  The  Commodore  addressed  them 
nearly  in  these  words — '  Sailors  ! — Your  orderly  and 
decorous  conduct  this  day,  gives  me  high  satisfaction. 
Continue  it  through  this  evening  ;  and  convince  the 
hospitable  and  patriotic  citizens  of  New  York,  that  you 
can  maintain  the  same  order  in  the  midst  of  amusementi 
as  you  have  done,  when  sailing  upon  the  ocean  and  con 
quering  the  enemy.'  It  was  answered  by  the  well  known 
»ud  respectful  salute  of  sailors." 


CHAPTER   XL 

Naval  War  Continued. 

On  the  13th,  of  Nov.  naval  operations  commenced 
upon  lake  Ontario  under  very  favorable  auspices. 

AFFAIR    ON    LAKE  ONTARIO. 

Sacketf 9  Harbor,  13th  Nov.  1812. 
SIR, 

1  arrived  here  last  evening  in  a  gale  of  wind,  the  pi 
lots  having  refused  to  keep  the  Lakes.  On  the  8th,  I 
fell  in  with  the  Royal  George,  »nd  chased  her  into  the 


THE  AMERICAN  NAVY.  157 

Bay  of  Quanti,  where  I  lost  sight  of  her,  in  the  night. 
In  the  morning  of  the  9th,  we  again  got  sight  of  her,  ly 
ing  in  Kingston  channel.  We  gave  chase,  and  follow 
ed  her  into  the  harbor  of  Kingston,  where  we  engaged  her 
and  the  batteries,  for  one  hour  and  forty-five  minutes. 
I  had  made  up  my  mind  to  board  her  ;  but  she  was  so 
well  protected  by  the  batteries,  and  the  wind  blowing 
directly  in,  it  was  deemed  imprudent  to  make  the  at 
tempt  at  that  time  ;  the  pilots  also  refused  to  take 
charge  of  the  vessels.  Under  these  circumstances,  and 
it  being  after  sun-down,  I  determined  to.  haul  off,  and 
renew  the  action  the  next  morning.  We  beat  up,  in 
good  order,  under  a  heavy  fire  from  the  Royal  George 
and  batteries,  to  4  mile  point,  where  we  anchored  ;  it 
blew  heavy,  in  squalls,  from  the  westward,  during  the 
night,  and  there  was  every  appearance  of  a  gale  of 
wind  :  the  pilots  became  alarmed,  and  I  thought  it  most 
prudent  to  get  into  a  place  of  more  safety — I  therefore 
deferred  renewing  the  attack,  upon  the  ships  and  forts, 
until  a  more  favorable  opportunity. — At  7,  A.  M.  on 
the  10th,  1  made  the  signal  to  weigh,  and  we  beat  out  of 
a  very  narrow  channel,  under  a  very  heavy  press  of  sail, 
to  the  open  Lake.  At  10,  we  fell  in  with  the  Gov. 
Simcoe,  running  for  Kingston,  and  chased  her  into  the 
harbor  ;  she  escaped  by  running  over  a  reef  of  rocks, 
under  a  heavy  fire  from  the  Gov.  Tomkins,  the  Hamil 
ton,  and  the  Julia,  which  cut  her  very  much  :  all  her 
people  ran  below,  while  under  the  fire  of  these  vessels  ; 
the  Hamilton  chased  her  into  9  feet  water,  before  she 
hauled  off.  In  our  passage  through  the  bay  of  Quanti,  I 
discovered  a  schooner  at  the  village  of  Armingston,  which 
we  took  posession  of,  but  finding  she  would  detain  us, 
(being  then  in  chase  of  the- Royal  George)  I  ordered 
Lieut.  IVTPherson  to  take  out  her  sails  and  rigging,  and 
burn  her,  which  he  did.  We  also  took  the  schooner  Ma 
ry  Hall,  from  Niagara,  at  the  mouth  of  Kingston  Har 
bor,  and  took  her  with  us,  to  our  anchorage.  The 
next  morning,  finding  she  could  not  beat  through  the 
14 


158  RISE  AND  PROGRESS  OF 

channel  with  us,  I  ordered  the  sailing  master,  in  the 
Growler,  to  take  her  under  convoy,  and  run  down  past 
Kingston,  anchor  on  the  east  end  of  Long-Island,  and 
wait  for  a  wind,  to  come  up  on  the  east  side  ;  1  was  also 
in  hopes,  that  the  Royal  George  might  be  induced  to 
follow,  for  the  purpose  of  retaking  our  prize  ;  but  her 
commander  was  too  well  aware  of  the  consequences,  to 
leave  his  moorings.  We  lost,  in  this  affair,  one  man 
killed,  and  three  slightly  wounded,  with  a  few  shot 
through  our  sails.  The  other  vessels  lost  no  men,  and 
received  hut  little  injury  in  their  hull  and  sails,  with  the 
exception  of  the  Pert,  whose  gun  bursted  in  the  early 
part  of  the  action,  and  wounded  her  commander  badly, 
and  a  midshipman,  and  three  men  slightly.  Mr.  Arun- 
del,  who  refused  to  quit  the  deck,  although  wounded, 
was  knocked  overboard,  and  drowned,  in  beating  up  to 
our  anchorage.  The  Royal  George  must  have  received 
very  considerable  injury,  in  her  hull,  and  in  men,  as  the 
gun  vessels,  with  a  long  32  pounder,  were  seen  to  strike 
her,  almost  every  shot  ;  and,  it  was  observed,  that  she 
was  reinforced  with  troops,  four  different  times,  during 
the  action.  I  have  great  pleasure  in  saying,  that  the 
officers  and  men,  on  board  of  every  vessel,  behaved  with 
the  utmost  coolness,  and  are  extremely  anxious  to  meet 
the  enemy  on  the  open  Lake  ;  and  as  long  as  1  have  the 
honor  to  command  such  officers  and  men,  I  can  have 
.no  doubt  of  the  result. — 1  think  I  can  say,  with  great 
propriety,  that  we  have  now  the  command  of  the  Lake  ; 
and  that  we  can  transport  troops  and  stores,  to  any-pai  t 
of  it,without  any  risk  of  an  attack  from  the  enemy.  Al 
though  the  whole  of  his  naval  force  was  not  collected  at 
Kingston,  yet,  the  force,  at  the  different  batteries,  would 
more  than  counterbalance  the  vessels  that  were  absent  ; 
it  was  thought,  by  all  the  officers  in  the  squadron,  that 
the  enemy  had  more  than  30  guns,  mounted  at  Kings 
ton,  and  from  1000  to  1500  men. 

The  Royal  George,  protected  by  -this  force,  was  driv 
en  into  the  inner  harbor,  under   the  protection  of  the 


THE   AMERICAN  NAVY.  15$ 

musquetry,  by  the  Oneida,  and  4  small  schooners,  fitted 
out  as  gun-boats. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be  &c. 

ISAAC  CHAUNCEY. 
The  Hon.  P.  HAMILTON. 

Sec^y  of  Navy. 

In  the  month  of  Oct.  Commodore  Bainbridge,  in  the 
frigate  Constitution,  put  to  sea  from  New  York,  accom 
panied  by  the  sloop  of  war  Hornet,  Capt.  Lawrence,  to 
join  Capt.  Porter  in  the  Essex,  and  form  a  cruising 
squadron  against  the  British  whale  fisheries  in  the  south 
sea  and  western  Pacific  ;  but  the  junction  failed,  and 
Porter  proceeded  alone  on  his  cruise.  On  the  29th  of 
Dec.  the  Constitution  of  44  guns,  Commodore  Bain- 
bridge,  fell  in  with  and  captured  the  British  frigate  Java, 
Capt.  Lambert,  of  44  guns,  off  the  coast  of  Brazil,  after 
an  action  of  50  minutes.  The  Java  lost  69  killed  and 
101  wounded.  The  Constitution  lost  9  killed  and  25 
wounded. 


CHAPTER  XII. 

General  Operations  jjgainst    Canada* 

Formidable  preparations  were  now  in  forwardness, 
against  Canada.  One  army  was  assembled  under  the 
command  of  general  Harrison,  governor  of  Indiana,  cal 
led  the  north-western  army.  Another  under  the  com 
mand  of  general  Stephen  Van  Rensellaer,at  Lewistown, 
called  the  army  of  the  centre,  and  another  under  the 
command  of  general  Dearborn,  at  Plattsburg,  called  th« 
army  of  the  north. 


160  RISE  AND  PROGRESS  OF 

In  the  course  of  the  general  operations  against  Cana 
da,  this  autumn,  the  Americans  surprised  and  took  two 
valuable  fur  ships,  upon  lake  Erie,  and  brought  off  one, 
valued  at  100,000  dollars.  This  successful  enterprise, 
kindled  fresh  ardor  in  the  breast  of  the  American 
troops,  and  they  pressed  General  Van  Rensellaer 
to  lead  them  against  the  enemy.  The  general  gratified 
their  wishes  and  on  the  12th  of  October,  detached 
about  1000  men,  under  the  command  of  Colonel  Solo 
mon  Van  Rensellaer,  who  crossed  over  the  river  Niag 
ara,  and  effected  a  landing  upon  the  Canada  shore,  at 
Queenstown.  Colonel  Van  Rensellaer  was  severely 
wouuded  upon  his  first  landing,  but  kept  the  field  at  the 
head  of  his  brave  troops,  where  he  was  soon  joined  by 
Colonel  Scott,  with  his  artillery,  and  the  British  retired 
before  the  victors.  The  troops  at  Buffalo  and  Lewis- 
town,  were  put  in  motion  at  the  same  time,  to  be  in 
readiness  to  cross  over  and  support  the  action. 

Colonel  Van  Rensellaer  was  now  reinforced,  with 
regulars  and  militia,  and  General  Brock  advanced  to 
the  combat,  with  a  strong  reinforcement  of  regulars  and 
Indians,  and  the  battle  became  fierce  and  bloody  ;  but 
the  British  recoiled.  Stung  with  chagrin  and  mortifica 
tion,  General  Brock  rallied  his  troops  to  the  charge  ; 
but  he  fell,  mortally  wounded,  in  the  heat  of  the  action, 
and  his  troops  again  recoiled. 

General  Van  Rensellaer,  at  this  critical  moment 
crossed  over  to  secure  the  victory  ;  but  the  enemy  were 
again  reinforced,  and  returned  to  the  charge,  and  were 
again  repulsed. 

At  this  eventful"  moment,  when  the  American  troops 
were  exhausted  with  the  fatigues  of  the  day,  and  anx 
iously  expecting  the  volunteers  to  cross  over,  and  se- 
c tire  the  victory  they  had  gained,  General  Van  Ren 
sellaer,  impatient, of  their  delay,  crossed  over  in  person, 
to  lead  on  the  reserve  ;  but  to  his  inexpressible  disap 
pointment  and  mortification,  they  refused  to  follow,  up 
on  constitutional  grounds. 


TJ1E  AMERICAN  NAVY.  161 

During  this  parley,  the  British  were  again  reinforced, 
and  again  rallied  to  the  combat,  to  revenge  the  death  of 
their  brave  General  Brock,  and  to  wipe  off  the  disgrace 
of  the  day.  The  conflict  was  renewed,  and  raged,  with 
such  violence,  that  the  Americans  were  overpowered  ; 
about  sixty  were  killed,  100  wounded,  and  1000  taken 
prisoners.  Had  the  volunteers  followed  their  General^ 
the  victory  of  the  day  would,  most  probably,  have  been 
complete,  and  the  whole  aspect  of  the  campaign  chan 
ged. 

BATTLE  OF  QUEENSTOWN. 

Copy  of  a  letter  from  Major  General  Van  Rensellaer,  of  the  New 
York  militia,  to  Major  General  Henry  Dearborn,  transmitted  by 
the  latter,  to  the  Department  of  War. 

Head  Quarters,  Lewistown,  Oct ober  14,  1812* 
SIR, 

As  the  movements  of  the  arrny  under  my  command, 
*ince  I  had  last  the  honour  to  address  you  on  the  8th 
inst.  have  been  of  a  very  important  character,  produ 
cing  consequences  serious  to  many  individuals  ;  es 
tablishing  facts  actually  connected  with  the  interest  of 
the  service,  and  the  safety  of  the  army  ;  and  as  I  stand 
prominently  responsible  for  some  of  these  consequen 
ces,  I  beg  leave  to  explain  to  you  sir,  and  through  you, 
to  my  country,  the  situation  and  circumstances,  and  the 
reasons  and  motives  which  governed  me  ;  and  if  the 
result  is  not  all  that  might  have  been  wished,  it  is  such, 
that  when  the  whole  ground  shall  be  reviewed,  I  shall 
cheerfully  submit  myself  to  the  judgement  of  my  coun- 
trv. 

In  my  letter  of  the  8th  inst.  I  apprized  you,  that  a 
crisis  in  this  campaign  was  rapidlv  advancing,  and  that 
(to  repeat  the  same  words,)  "  the  blow  must  be  soon 
struck,  or  all  the  toil  and  expense  of  the  campaign  go 
for  nothing  ;  and  worse  than  nothing,  for  the  whole  will 
foe  tinged  with  dishonor.1' 
14* 


162  RISE   AND  PROGRESS  OF 

Under  such  impressions  I  had,  on  the  5th  inst  writ 
ten  to  Brig.  Gen.  Smyth,  of  the  U.  States  forces,  re 
questing  an  interview  with  him.  Major  Gen.  Hall,  and 
the  commandants  of  the  U.  States'  regiments,  for  the 
purpose  of  conferring  upon  the  suhject  of  future  opera 
tions. 

I  wrote  Major  Gen.  Hall,  to  the  same  purport;  on 
the  llth,  I  had  received  no  answer  from  Gen.  Smyth  ; 
but  in  a  note  to  me  of  the  10th,  Gen.  Hall  mentioned 
that  Gen.  Smyth  had  not  then  agreed  upon  any  day  for 
consultation. 

In  the  mean  time,  the  partial  success  of  Lieut.  Elliott, 
at  Black  Rock,  (of  which,  however,  I  have  received  no 
official  information)  began  to  excite  a  strong  disposition 
in  the  troops  to  act ;  this  was  expressed  to  me  through 
various  channels  in  the  shape  of  an  alternative  i  that 
they  must  have  orders  to  act ;  or  at  all  hazards  they 
would  go  home.  I  forbear  commenting  here  upon  the 
obvious  consequences  to  me,  personally,  of  longer  with 
holding  my  orders  under  such  circumstances. 

I  had  a  conference  with ,  as  to  the  possibility 

of  getting  some  person  to  pass  over  to  Canada,  and  ob 
tain  correct  information.  On  the  morning  of  the  4lh 
he  wrote  to  me  that  he  had  procured  the  man  who  bore 
his  letter  to  go  over  ;  instructions  were  given  him,  he 
passed  over  and  obtained  such  information  as  warranted 
an  immediate  attack.  This  was  co;i(ilentia!ly  commu 
nicated  to  several  of  my  first  officers,  and  produced 
great  zeal  to  act ;  more  especially,  as  it  might  have  a 
controlling  effect  upon  the  movements  at  Detroit,  where 
it  was  supposed  General  Brock  was  gone,  with  all  the 
-force  he  dared  spare  from  the  Niagara  frontier  ;  the 
best  preparations  in  my  power  were  therefore  made,  to 
dislodge  the  enemy,  from  the  heights  of  Queenstown, 
^and  possess  ourselves  of  the  village,  where  the  troops 
might  be  sheltered  from  the  distressing  inclemency  of 
the  weather.— Lieut.  Col.  Fenwick's  flying  artillery, 
and  a  detachment  of  regular  troops  under  his  command, 


THE  AMERICAN  NAVY.  1G3 

were  ordered  to  be  up  in  season  from  fort  Niagara  ;  or 
ders  were  also  sent  to  Gen.  Smyth,  to  send  down  from 
Buffalovsuch  a  detachment  of  his  brigade,  as  existing 
circumstances  in  that  vicinity  might  warrant ;  the  attack 
was  to  have  been  made  at  4  o'clock  on  the  morning  of 
the  llth,  by  crossing  over  in  boats,  from  the  old  ferry, 
opposite  th^  heights  ;  to  avoid  any  embarrasment  in 
crossing  the  river,  (which  is  here  a  sheet  of  violent  ed 
dies,)  experienced  boatmen  were  procured,  to  take  the 
boats  from  the  landing  below,  to  the  place  of  ernbarka- 
ation~,  Lieut.  Sim  was  considered  the  man  of  greatest 
skill  for  this  service  ;  he  went  ahead,  and,  in  the  extreme 
darkness,  passed  the  intended  place  far  up  the  river,  and 
there,  in  a  most  extraordinary  manner,  fastened  his  boat 
to  the  shore,  and  abandoned  the  detachment.  In  this 
front  boat,  he  had  carried  nearly  every  oar,  which  was 
prepared  for  all  the  boats  :  in  this  agonizing  dilemma 
stood  officers  and  men,  whose  ardour  had  not  been  cool 
ed  by  exposure,  through  the  night,  to  one  of  the  most 
tremendous  N.  East  storms,  which  continued  unabated 
for  twenty-eight  hours,  and  deluged  the  whole  camp  : 
the  approach  of  daylight  extinguished  every  prospect  of 
success,  and  the  detachment  returned  to  camp.  Col. 
Van  Rensellaer  was  to  have  commanded  the  detach 
ment. 

After  this  result,  1  had  hoped  the  patience  of  the 
troops  would  have  continued  until  1  couid  submit  the 
plan,  suggested  in  my  letter  of  the  8ih,  that  I  might  act 
under,  and  in  conformity  to  the  opinion  which  might  be 
then  expressed  ;  but  my  hope  was  idle  : — the  previously 
excited  ardour  seemed  to  have  gained  new  heat  from 
the  late  miscarriage — the  brave  were  mortified  to  stop 
short  of  their  object,  and  the  timid  thought  laurels  half 
won  by  the  attempt. 

Viewing  the  ailairs  at  Buifaioe  a»  yet  unsettled.  I  had 
immediately  couutermanned  the  march  of  Gen.  Smyth'* 
brigade,  upon  the  failure  of  the  first  expedition  ;  but 
having  now  determined  to  attack  Qut*>nstown,  1  sent 


RISE  AND  PROGRESS  OF 

new  orders  to  Gen.  Smyth,  to  march  ;  not  with  a  view 
of  his  aid  in  the  attack,  (for  I  considered  the  force  de 
tached  sufficient)  but  to  support  the  detachment,  should 
the  conflict  be  obstinate  and  long  continued. 

Lieut.  Col.  Christie,  who  had  arrived  at  4  mile  creek, 
had,  late  in  the  night  of  the  first  contemplated  attack, 
gallantly  offered  me  his  own  and  his  men's  service,  but 
he  got  my  permission  too  late  : — he  now  again  came 
forward,  had  a  conference  with  Col.  Vari  Rensellaer. 
and  begged  that  he  might  have  the  honor  of  a  command 
in  the  expedition:  the  arrangement  was  made  ;  CoL 
Van  Rensellaer  was  to  command  one  column  of  300 
inilitia,  and  Lieut  Col.  Christie  a  column  of  the  sam* 
number  of  regular  troops. 

Every  precaution  was  now  adopted,  as  to  boats  ;  and 
the  most  confidential  and  experienced  men  to  manage 
them.  At  an  early  hour  in  the  night,  Lieut.  Col.  Chris 
tie  marched  his  detachment,  by  the  rear  road,  from  Ni 
agara  to  camp  :  at?  in  the  evening,  Lieut.  Col.  Stran.v 
han's  regiment  moved  from  Niagara  falls  ;  at  8  o'clock, 
Mead's ;at  9,  Lieut.  Col.  Elan's  regiment  marched  fro.Yi 
the  same  place — all  were  in  camp  in  good  season.. 
Agreeably  to  my  orders,  issued  on  this  occasion,  the 
two  columns  were  to  pass  over  together  ;  and,  as  soon 
as  the  heights  should  be  carried,  Lieut.  Col.  Fenwiek* 
.Hying  artillery  was  to  pass  over;  then  Major  Mulluuy'i 
detachment  of  regulars,  and  the  other  troops,  to  follow 
in  order. 

At  dawn  of  day  the  boats  were  in  readiness,  and  the 
troops  commenced  embarking  under  the  cover  of  n 
commanding  battery,  mounting  2  eighteen  pounders,, 
and  2  sixes.  The  movement  was  soon  discovered,  arid 
a  brisk  fire  of  musquetry  was  poured  from  the  whole 
line  of  the  Canada  shore.  Our  battery  then  opened 
to  sweep  the  shore  ;  but  it  was,  for  some  minutes,  too 
dark  to  direct  much  fire  with  safety.  A  brisk  cannon 
ade  was  now  opened  upon  the  boats,  from  three  differ 
ent  batteries  ;  our  battery  returned  their  fire,  and  o«- 


THE  AMERICAN  NAVY.  "  165 

casionally  threw  grape  upon  the  shore,  and  was  itself 
served  with  shells  from  a  small  mortar  of  the  enemy's. 
Col.  Scott,  of  the  artillery,  hy  hastening  his  march  from 
Niagara  falls,  in  the  night,  arrived  in  season  to  return 
the  enemy's  fire  with  2  six  pounders. 

The  boats  were  somewhat  embarrassed  by  the  ed 
dies,  as  well  as  with  a  shower  of  shot ;  but  Col.  Van 
Rensellaer,  with  about  one  hundred  men,  soon  effected 
his  landing  amidst  a  tremendous  fire,  directed  upon  him 
from  every  point ;  but  to  the  astonishment  of  all  who 
witnessed  the  scene,  this  van  of  the  column  advanced 
slowly  against  the  fire.  It  was  a  serious  misfortune  to 
the  van,  and  indeed  to  the  whole  expedition,  that  in  a  few 
minutes  after  landing,  Col.  Van  Rensellaer  received 
four  wounds  ;  a  ball  passed  through  his  right  thigh,  en 
tering  just  below  the  hip  bone —another  shot  passed 
through  the  same  thigh,  a  little  below  ;  the  third  through 
the  calf  of  his  left  leg,  and  a  fourth  contused  his  heel. 
This  was  quite  a  crisis  in  the  expedition  ;  under  so  se 
vere  a  fire,  it  was  difficult  to  form  raw  troops.  Bjr 
some  mismanagement  of  the  boatmen,  Lieut.  Col. 
Christie  did  not  arrive  until  sometime  after  this,  and 
was  wounded  in  the  hand  in  passing  the  river.  Col. 
Van.  Rensellaer  was  still  able  to  stand  ;  and,  with  great 
presence  of  mind,  ordered  his  officers  to  proceed,  and 
storm  the  fort :  this  service  was  gallantly  performed, 
and  the  enemy  driven  down  the  hill  in  every  direction. 
Soon  after  this,  both  parties  were  considerably  reinfor 
ced,  and  the  conflict  was  renewed  in  various  places  ; 
many  of  the  enemy  took  shelter  behind  a  stone  guard 
house,  where  a  piece  of  ordnance  was  now  briskly 
served.  I  ordered  the  fire  of  our  battery  directed  up 
on  the  guard-house  ;  and,  it  was  so  effectually  done, 
that,  with  eight  or  ten  shot,  the  fire  was  silenced.  The 
enemy  then  retreated  behind  a  large  store-house  ;  but, 
in  a  short  time,  the  rout  became  general,  and  the  ene 
my's  fire  was  silenced,  except  from  a  one  gun  battery, 
so  far  down  the  river  as  to  be  out  of  the  reach  of  our 


166  RISE  AND  PROGRESS  OF 

heavy  ordnance,  and  our  light  pieces  could  not  silence 
it.  A  number  of  boats  now  passed  over  unannoyed* 
except  from  the  one  unsilenced  gun.  For  some  time 
after  I  had  passed  over,  the  victory  appeared  complete; 
but,  in  the  expectation  of  further  attacks,  I  was  taking 
measures  for  fortifying  my  camp  immediately  :  the  di 
rection  of  this  service  I  committed  to  Lieut.  Totten,  of 
(he  engineers  ;  but  very  soon  the  enemy  were  reinfor 
ced  by  a  detachment  of  several  hundred  Indians,  from 
Chippewa — they  commenced  a  furious  attack,  but 
were  promptly  met,  and  routed  by  the  rifle  and  bayo 
net.  By  this  time  I  perceived  my  troops  were  embark 
ing  very  slowly  ;  I  passed  immediately  over,  to  acceler 
ate  their  movements;  but  to  my  utter  astonishment,  I 
found  that,  at  the  very  moment  when  complete  victory 
was  in  our  hands,  the  ardor  of  the  unengaged  troops 
had  entirely  subsided.  I  rode  in  all  directions — urged 
men,  by  every  consideration,  to  pass  over  ;  but  in  vain, 
Lieut.  Col.  Bloom,  who  had  been  wounded  in  action, 
returned,  mounted  his  horse,  and  rode  through  the 
camp  ;  as  did  also  Judge  Peck,  who  happened  to  be 
here,  exhorting  the  companies  to  proceed;  but  all  in 
vain.  At  this  time  a  large  reinforcement  from  Fort 
George  were  discovered  coming  up  the  river.  As  the 
battery  on  the  hill  was  considered  an  important  check 
against  their  ascending  the  heights,  measures  were  im 
mediately  taken  to  send  them  a  fresh  supply  of  ammu 
nition,  as  I  had  learnt  there  were  only  left  twenty  shot, 
for  18  pounders.  The  reinforcements,  however,  ob 
liqued  to  the  right  from  the  road,  and  formed  a  junction 
with  the  Indians,  in  the  rear  of  the  heights.  Finding,, 
to  my  infinite  mortification,  that  no  reinforcement 
would  pass  over — seeing  that  another  severe  conflict 
would  soon  commence ;  and  knowing  that  the  brave 
men  on  the  heights  were  quite  exhausted,  and  nearly 
out  of  ammunition,  all  I  could  do  was  to  send  them  u 
fresh  supply  of  cartridges, 


THE  AMERICAN  NAVY.  }QJ 

At  this  critical  moment,  I  despatched  a  note  to  Gen. 
Wadsworth,  acquainting  him  with  our  situation — leav 
ing  the  course  to  be  pursued  much  to  his  own  judgment, 
with  assurance  that,  if  he  thought  best  to  retreat,  I 
would  send  as  many  boats  as  I  could  command,  and 
cover  his  retreat  by  every  fire  I  could  safely  make  : — 
but  the  boats  were  dispersed ;  many  of  the  boatmen 
had  fled,  panic  struck,  and  but  a  few  got  off.  But  my 
note  could  but  have  little  more  than  reached  Gen. 
Wadsworth.  about  4  o'clock,  when  a  severe  and  obsti 
nate  conflict  commenced,  and  continued  about  half  an 
hour,  with  a  tremendous  fire  of  cannon,  flying  artillery, 
and'  musquetry.  The  enemy  succeeded  in  reposses 
sing  their  battery,  and  gaining  advantage  on  every  side  ; 
the  brave  men  who  had  gained  the  victory,  exhausted 
of  strength  and  ammunition,  and  grieved  at  the  unpar 
donable  neglect  of  their  soldiers,  gave  up  the  conflict. 

I  can  only  add,  that  the  victory  was  realty  won — but 
lost  for  the  want  of  a  small  reinforcement ;  one  third 
of  the  idle  men  might  have  saved  all ! 

I  cannot,  in  justice,  ciose  this,  without  expressing 
the  very  great  obligation  I  am  under  to  Brig.  Gen. 
Wadsworth,  Col.  Van  Rensellaer,  Lieut.  Col.  Christie 
and  Fenwick,  and  Capt.  Gibson.  Many  others  have 
also  behaved  most  gallantly.  As  I  have  reason  to  be 
lieve  that  many  of  our  troops  fled  to  the  woods,  with 
the  hope  of  crossing  the  river,  I  have  not  been  able  to 
learn  the  probable  number  of  killed,  wounded,  and 
prisoners:  the  slaughter  of  our  troops  must  have  been 
very  considerable,  and  the  enemy  have  suffered  severe 
ly  ;  Gen.  Brock  is  among  their  slain,  and  his  aid-de 
camp  mortally  wounded. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  &c. 

STEPHEN  VAN  RENSELLAER, 

Major  Gen. 

Major  General  DEARBORN.      *  * 


168  RISE  AND  PROGRESS  OF 

Gen.  Van  Rensellaer  soon   after   retired    from    the 
command,  and  was  succeeded  by  Gen.  Smith. 


CHAPTER  XIII. 

Operations  against  Canada  continued. 

On  the  2 1st  of  November,  the  enemy  commenced  a 
desperate  attack  upon  fort  Niagara,  which  was  repelled 
with  unusual  firmness  and  bravery. 

DEFENCE  OF  FORT 'NIAGARA. 

To  Brigadier  General  Smyth,  commanding  the  army  of 
the  Centre. 

SIR — I  beg  leave  to  inform  you,  that  on  the  morning 
of  the  21st  Nov.  at  6  o'clock,  a  heavy  cannonading 
opened  upon  this  garrison,  from  all  the  batteries  at,  and 
in  the  neighborhood  of  fort  George,  which  lasted,  with 
out  intermission,  until  after  sun-down.  They  had  5 
detached  batteries ;  2  mounting  24  pounders,  1  mount 
ing  a  9  pounder,  and  2  mortar  batteries  ;  one  ten  and  a 
half,  and  the  other  five  and  a  half  inch — the  batteries 
firing  hot  shot,  which  set  some  of  our  buildings  on  fire. 
But,  from  the  extraordinary  vigilance  of  the  officers 
and  men,  particularly  Major  Arrnistead,  of  the  U.  S. 
corps  of  engineers,  whose  indefatigable  exertions  were 
extended  to  all  parts  of  the  garrison,  the  fires  were  got 
under,  without  being  observed  by  the  enemy. 

Our  garrison  was  not  as  well  provided  with  artillery 
and  aniniunitiort,£S  I  could  have  wished  ;  however,  the 
batteries  opener!  n  tremendous  fire  upon  them,  in  re 
turn,  with  hot  sho  .  admirably  well  directed.  Several 


.THE  AMERICAN  NAVY.  169 

limes,  during'the  cannonading,  the  town  of  Newark  was 
in  flames  ;  but  was  extinguished  by  their  engines,  as 
also  the  centre  building  in  fort  George.  Their  mess- 
bouse,  and  all  the  buildings  near  it,  were  consumed. 
Capt.  M'Keon,  commanded  a  12  pounder,  in  the  S.  E, 
block-house,  and  distinguished  himself,  by  his  usual 
gallantry  and  skill.  Capt.  Jacks,  of  the  7th  regiment, 
militia  artillery,  commanded  a  6  pounder  in  the  north 
block-house  ;  and,  together  with  a  part  of  his  own  com 
pany,  though  placed  in  a  situation  most  exposed  to  the 
fire  of  the  enemy,  maintained  their  position  like  vete 
rans.  Lieut.  Reese,  of  the  3d  Regiment,  artillery,  had 
the  command  of  an  18  pounder,  on  the  S.  E.  battery, 
which  was  pointed  at  a  battery,  en  barbette,  mounting  a 
24  pounder,  and  also  at  Fort  George  ;  several  well  di 
rected  shot  were  made  from  this  gun,  which  proved  the 
skill  of  its  commander.  About  10  o'clock,  Lieuten 
ant  Rees  had  his  shoulder  bruised,  by  a  part  of  the  par 
apet  falling  on  him  ;  which,  though  it  did  not  materially 
injure  him,  obliged  him  to  retire  :  and  Capt.  Leonard, 
of  the  1st  regiment,  artillery,  at  that  moment  arriving, 
he  took  the  command  of  this  battery,  during  the  remain 
der  of  the  day.  Lieut.  Wendel,  of  the  3d  regiment 
artillery  had  the  command  of  an  18  and  4  pounder,  on 
the  west  battery  ;  and  Doctor  Hooper,  of  Capt.  Jack's 
company  of  militia  artillery,  had  the  command  of  a  6 
pounder,  on  the  mess-house.  Of  these  gentlemen,  and 
their  commands,  I  cannot  speak  with  too  much  praise; 
they  distinguished  themselves  highly  ;  and  from  their 
shot  all  of  which  were  hot,  the  town  of  Newark  was 
repeatedly  fired,  and  one  of  the  enemy's  batteries  si* 
fenced  for  a  time. 

An  instance  of  very  extraordinary  bravery,  in  a  fe 
male,  (the  wife  of  one  Doyle,  a  private  in  the  U.  States 
artillery,  made  a  prisoner  at  Qucenstown)  I  cannot  pass 
over  : — during  the  most  tremendous  cannonading  I  have 
ever  ieen,  she  attended  the  6  pounder,  on  the  old  mess* 

15 


HO  RISE  AND  PROGRESS  OF 

house,  with  the  red  hot  shot,  and  showed  fortitude  equal 
ling  the  Maid  of  Orleans. 

Lieut*.  Gansevoort  and  Harris,  of  the  1st  regiment, 
United  States  artillery,  had  the  command  of  the  salt 
battery,  at  Youngstown,  mounting  one  18  and  a  4  poun 
der;  these  two  guns  played  upon  the  garrison  of  fort 
George  and  the  buildings  near  it ;  from  every  observa 
tion  I  could  make  during  their  fire,  I  am  happy  to  say, 
they  merited  my  warmest  thanks,  for  their  skill  In  the 
service  of  these  guns.  Lieut.  Harris,  from  his  4  pounder, 
sunk  a  schooner,  which  lay  at  their  wharf; — these  two 
officers,  and  their  men,  in  the  warmest  part  of  the  can 
nonading,  having  fired  away  all  their  cartridges,  cut  up 
their  flannel  waistcoats  and  shirts,  and  the  soldiers  their 
trowsers  to  supply  their  guns. — I  cannot  say  too  much 
in  praise  of  all  the  officers  and  soldiers  of  the  artillery, 
immediately  under  my  observation,  in  this  garrison  ; 
they  merit  the  thanks  and  esteem  of  their  country,  for 
the  defence  of  it,  and  I  believe  it  never  sustained  so 
sharp  and  continued  a  bombardment. 

The  enemy  threw  more  than  2000  red-hot  balls  into 
it,  and  a  number  of  shells,  amounting  to  180,  only  one 
of  which  did  injury  to  our  men.  Lieut.  Col.  Gray  com 
manded  the  artillery ;  the  unremitting  attention  paid  to 
his  duty,  proved  him  an  officer,  whose  zeal  and  science 
do  honor  to  himself  arid  country  ;  to  this  gentleman  I 
feel  much  indebted,  for  the  manner  in  which  he  acquit 
ted  himself. 

To  the  officers  of  my  regiment,  (particularly  Captain 
Milligan)  and  the  soldiers  who  assisted  the  artillery,  and 
those  employed  in  extinguishing  the  fires,  and  carrying olF 
the  killed  and  wounded,  I  am  also  much  indebted — the/ 
merit  my  warmest  thanks.  To  Dr.  West,  of  the  garri 
son,  Dr.  Augam,  of  the  14th  regiment,  U.  States  In 
fantry,  and  Dr.  Craig,  of  the  22d  regiment,  U.  States 
infantry,  1  offer  my  thanks  ;  they  were  employed,  du 
ring  the  entire  day,  in  the  most  critical  duties  of  their 
profession. 


THE  AMERICAN  NAVY.  17,1 

Our  killed  is  4.  Wounded,  7 — total  11. — From  tho 
numbers  carried  off  (which  we  saw)  from  the  enemy's 
batteries,  I  presume  many  more  were  killed  and  woun 
ded,  on  their  side.  Only  two  of  the  above  men  were 
killed  by  the  enemy's  shot  ;  the  others  by  the  bursting 
of  a  12  pounder,  in  the  S.  R.  battery. 

GEORGE  M'FEELEY,  Lieut.  Col. 

Commanding  Fort  Niagara. 
Brig.  Gen.  Smyth. 

General  Smyth  reconnoitered  the  position  of  the  ene 
my,  and  made  great  preparations  to  cross  over  and  re 
new  the  combat  on  the  shores  of  Canada.  He  accor 
dingly  issued  a  proclamation,  calling  for  volunteers  to 
join  in  the  enterprise,  and  actually  assembled  his  troops 
upon  a  given  day,  (November  23th.)  to  embark  upon  the 
expedition  against  the  enemy.  The  van  of  the  army 
crossed  over,  and  finding  the  enemy  ready  to  receive 
them,  they  retired  from  the  fire  of  their  batteries,  and 
returned  ;  leaving  a  detachment  of  about  thirty  men, 
who  had  effected  a  landing,  to  fall  into  their  hands. 

Such  was  the  resentment  of  the  officers  and  troops 
generally,  at  this  dastardly  failure,  that  general  Smyth 
was  constrained  to  renew  the  attempt;  and  general  Por 
ter,  of  the  New- York  volunteers,  took  the  command  of 
the  van. — December  4th.  The  troops  were  generally 
embarked  and  ready  for  the  onset ;  but  general  Smyth, 
at  this  interesting  moment,  when  all  hearts  were  alive 
to  the  object  before  them,  abandoned  the  enterprise, 
for  the  season,  and  the  troops  retired  into  winter  quar 
ters. 

Such  was  the  mortification  and  resentment  of  the  ar 
my,  that  general  Smyth  thought  it  necessary  to  challenge 
general  Porter,  to  vindicate  his  courage,  and  then  t$ 
withdraw  from  the  command. 


174  BJSE  AND  PROGRESS  OF 

amounting,  on  that  day,  to  340  men ;  a  detachment 
from  Gen.  Tannehill's  brigade  ;  (number  unknown, 
and  little  to  be  relied  on,j  there  were  also  sundry 
crowds,  who  might  have  followed  the  army — if  it  wa« 
successful. 

Recollecting  your  instructions,  "to  cross  with  3000 
men  at  once,"  and  to  consult  some  of  my  principal  offi 
cers,  in  "  all  important  movements,"  I  called  for  the 
field  officers,  of  the  regular  and  twelve  months  volun 
teers,  embarked  ;  Col.  Porter  not  being  found  at  the 
moment,  Capt.  Gibson  was  called,  as  the  next  senior 
officer  of  artillery.  These  questions  were  put : — "  h 
it  expedient  now  to  crossover  ?  Is  the  force,  we  have, 
sufficient  to  conquer  the  opposite  coast?1'  The  first 
question  was  decided  in  the  negative,  by  Colonels  Par 
ker,  Schuyler,  Winder,  LieuCColonels  Boerstler  and 
Coles,  and  Major  Campbell.  Col.  Swift,  of  the  volun 
teers,  alone  gave  an  opinion  for  then  crossing  over. 
The  second  question  was  not  decided  ; — Col,  Parker, 
Col.  Schuyler,  Lieut.  Col.  Coles,  and  Major  Campbell, 
were  decidedly  of  opinion  that  the  force  was  insuffi 
cient  ;— Colonels  Winder  and  Swift,  Lieut.  Col.  Boerst 
ler,  and  Capt.  Gibson,  deemed  the  force  sufficient. — I 
determined  to  postpone  crossing  over,  until  more  com 
plete  preparation  would  enable  me  to  embark  at  once, 
according  to  your  instructions  :  the  next  day  was  spent 
in  such  preparations,  and  the  troops  were  ordered  to 
be  again  at  the  place  of  embarkation,  at  8  o'clock  on 
the  morning  of  the  30th  November.  On  their  arrival, 
they  were  sent  into  the  adjacent  woods,  there  to  build 
fires,  and  remain  until  3  o'clock  in  the  morning,  of  the 
1st  of  December,  when  it  was  intended  to  put  off  two 
hours  before  day-light,  so  as  to  avoid  the  fire  of  the  en 
emy's  cannon  ;  in  passing  the  position  which,  it  was  be 
lieved  they  occupied  below,  to  land  above  Chippewa. 
assault  that  place,  and,  if  successful,  march  through 
Queenstown,  to  fort  George.  The  Contractor  was  cal 
led  on,  to  furnish  rations,  for  2500  men,  for  four  days  ; 


THE  AMERICAN  NAVY.  j7$ 

when  it  was  found,  he  could  furnish  tbe  pork,  but  not 
the  flour;  sixty  barrels  were  required,  and  only  thirty 
furnished.  The  embarkation  commenced;  but  was 
delayed  by  circumstances,  so  as  not  to  be  completed 
until  after  day-light — when  it  was  found,  the  regular 
infantry,  688  men,  the  artillery,  177  men.  Col.  Swift's 
volunteers,  about  230,  six  companies  of  Federal  Vol 
unteers,  amounting  to  276  men,  about  100  militia,  of 
Col.  Dobbin's  regiment,  and  a  few  men  in  a  boat  with 
Mr.  P.  B.  Porter,  Contractor's  as;ent,  who  was  to  pilot 
the  enterprize,  had  embarked  ;  the  whole  on  board, 
without  the  commissioned  officers,  being  1500  men; 
and  it  was  now  two  hours  later  than  the  time  fixed  on 
for  setting  out. 

There  were  some  groups  of  men,  not  yet  embarked  ; 
they  were  applied  to,  requested,  and  ordered,  by  the 
Brigade  Major,  to  get  into  the  boats  ;  they  did  not.  He 
estimated  their  number  at  150 — it  was  probably  great 
er. 

It  then  became  a  question,  whether  it  was  expedient 
to  invade  Canada,  in  open  day-light,  with  1500  men;  at 
a  point  where  no  reinforcement  could  be  expected  for 
some  days.  I  saw  that  the  number  of  regular  troops 
was  declining  rapidly  ;  I  knew  that  on  them  chiefly,  I 
was  to  depend. 

T  called  together  officers,  commanding  corps  of  the 
regular  army.  Col.  Parker  being  sick,  those  present 
v/ere  Col.  Porter,  of  the  artillery,  Col.  Schuyler,  Col. 
Winder,  and  Lieut.  Col.  Coles.  I  put  to  them  thii 
question: — "Shall  we  proceed?"  They  unanimously 
decided  that  we  ought  riot. — I  foresaw  that  volunteers, 
who  had  come  out  for  a  few  days,  would  disperse. 
Several  of  them  had,  on  the  evening  of  the  25tht 
broken  their  muskets,  because  they  had  not  seen  a  bat- 
*  tie;  I  foresaw  that  the  number  of  regular  troops  would 
decrease  ;  the  measles  has  affected  them  generally  ;  th« 
constant  use  of  fresh  meat  had  produced  dysenteries, 
tnd  they  were  POW  in  tents,  in  the  month  of  December.. 


172  RISE  AND  PROGRESS  Or 

ARMY  PROCEEDINGS. 

Copy   of  a  Despatch,  from  Brij.  Gen.  Smyth,  (o  MJIJ.   Gen,  Dear 
born,  transmitted  to  the  Secretary  of  War.  dated 

Camp,  near  Buffalo,  4th  Dec.  1812. 

SIR — The  troops,  under  my  command,  having  been 
ordered  to  hut  themselves  for  the  winter,  it  becomes  mj 
duty  to  report  to  you  the  proceedings  had  here,  since  I 
took  command  on  this  frontier. 

On  or  about  the  26th  of  October,  I  ordered  that  20 
scows  should  be  prepared,  for  the  transportion  of  caval 
ry  and  artillery,  and  put  the  carpenters  of  the  army 
upon  that  duty.  By  the  26th  Nov.  ten  scows  were 
completed  ;  and,  by  bringing  the  boats  from  Lake  On 
tario,  the  number  was  increased  to  seventy. 

I  had  issued  an  address,  to  the  men  of  N.  York;  and. 
perhaps,  300  volunteers  had  arrived  at  Buffalo.  1  pre 
sumed  that  the  regular  troops,  and  the  volunteers,  un 
der  Colonels  Swfft  and  M'Clure,  would  furnish  2,300 
men,  for  duty  ;  and,  of  Gen.  TannehilPs  brigade,  re* 
porting  a  total  of  1,650,  as  many  as  413  had  volunteer 
ed  to  cross  over  into  Canada.  I  deemed  myself  ready 
"  to  cross  with  3000  men  at  once, "according  to  your  or 
ders.  Preparatory  thereto,  on  the  night  of  the  27th 
Nov.  I  sent  over  two  parties  ;  one,  under  Lieut.  Col. 
Boerstler;  the  other,  under  Capt.  King,  with  whom 
Lieut.  Angus,  of  the  navy,  at  the  head  of  a  body  of 
seamen,  united. 

The  first  mentioned  party  was  to  capture  a  guard, 
and  destroy  a  bridge,  about  5  miles  below  fort  Erie  ;  the 
gecond  party  were  to  take,  and  render  useless  the  ene 
my's  batteries,  and  some  pieces  of  light  arlrtlery.  The 
first  party  made  some  prisoners,  but  failed  to  destroy 
the  bridge.  The  second  party,  after  rendering  unser 
viceable  the  light  artillery,  separated,  by  some  misap 
prehension.  Lieut.  Angus,  the  seamen,  and  part  of 


THE  AMERICAN  NAVY.  373 

the  troops  returned,  with  all  the  boats,  while  Capt 
King,  Capt.  Morgan,  Capt.  Sprou],  Lieut.  Houston,  and 
about  sixty  men,  remained.  Capt.  King,  notwithstand 
ing,  with  those  under  his  command,  advanced  to  the  en 
emy's  batteries,  attacked  and  took  two  of  them  in  suc 
cession,  rendered  unserviceable  the  cannon,  and  took  a 
number  of  prisoners.  In  descending  the  Niagara  some 
distance,  two  boats  were  found — on  board  of  which 
Capt.  King  sent  his  prisoners,  all  his  officers,  and  half 
his  men  ;  his  high  sense  of  honour  would  not  allow  him 
to  quit  the  remainder — he  was  captured  with  them. 

Orders  had    been  given,  that   all   the  troops   in  the 
neighborhood,  should  march  at  revalie,   to  the  place  of 
embarkation.     A  part  of  the  detachment,   sent  in  the 
night,  having  returned,  and  having  excited  apprehen 
sions  for  the  residue,  about  250  men,  under  Col.    Win 
der,  put  off.  in  boats,  for  the  opposite  shore ;  a  part^of 
their  force  had  landed,  when  a    force,  with   a   piece  of 
artillery,  appeared : — a  retreat  was  ordered,  and  Col. 
Winder's  detachment  suffered  a  loss  of  6  killed,  and  20 
wounded  ;  of  whom,  six  were  officers.     The  general 
embarkation  commenced,  as  the  troops  arrived  ;  but,  this 
being  the  first  time  the  troops  had  embarked,  the  whole 
of  the  scows  were  occupied  by  about  one  third  part  of 
the  artillery  ;  while   about  800  regular  infantry,  some 
thing  upwards  of  200  twelve  month's  volunteers,  and, 
perhaps,  200  of  those  militia  who  had  volunteered  their 
services  for  a  few  days,  occupied  all  the  boats  that  were 
ready.     The  troops,  then  embarked,  moved,  up   the 
stream,  to  Black  Rock,  without  sustaining  loss  from  the 
enemy's  fire.     It  was  now  the  afternoon,  and  they  were 
ordered  to  disembark,  and  dine.     The  enemy  showed  a 
force,  estimated  at  five  or  six  hundred  men,  drawn  up 
in  a  field,  at  some  distance  from  the  river  ;  and  had  one 
piece  of  artillery,  said  to  be  a  9  pounder,  ready  to  fire 
on  our  troops. 

There  remained,  unembarked,  a  part  of  the  artillery ; 
a  few  cavalry  ;  the  volunteers,  under  Col.  M'Clure — 
15* 


1  76  RfSE  AND  PROGRESS  OP 

I  informed  the  officers,  that  the  attempt  to  invade  Can 
ada  would  not  be  made,  until  the  army  was  reinforced, 
and  directed  them  to  withdraw  their  troops,  and  cover 
them  with  huts  immediately.  The  volunteers,  and 
neighboring  people,  were  dissatisfied,  and  it  has  been  in 
the  power  of  the  contractor's  agent  to  excite  some  clam 
or  against  the  course  pursued;  he  finds  the  contract  a 
losing  one,  at  this  time,  and  would  wish  to  see  the  army 
in  Canada,  that  he  might  not  be  bound  to  supply  it. 

I  am  sorry  that  the  situation  of  the  force,  under  my 
command,  had  not  been  such,  as  to  make  the  propriety 
of  a  forward  movement  to  all.  Circumstanced  as  we 
were,  I  have  thought  it  my  duty  to  follow  the  cautious 
counsels  of  experience,  and  not,  by  precipitation,  to  add 
another  to  the  list  of  our  defeats. 

You  will  perceive  my  motives,  by  my  letter  of  the 
30th  Oct.  wherein  I  said — "  I  would  cross  in  threa 
days,  if  I  had  the  means  ;  without  them,  it  would  be*in- 
justice  to  the  nation  and  myself  to  attempt  it — I  must- 
not  b&  defeated. 

]  have  the  honor,  &c. 

ALEXANDER  SMYTH,  Brig.  Gm.. 

Maj..  Gen.  DEARBORN. 


CHAPTER  XIV.. 

General  Operations  against  Canada 

Previous  to  these  operations  on  the  northern  fron 
tier,  the  Indians  committed  such  depredations  and  mur 
ders  on  the  north-western  frontiers,  a»:  deeply  wounded 
the  pride,  and  excited  the  resentment  of  the  states  of 
Kentucky  and  Ohio.  They  roused  to  the  contest,  ai 
volunteers,  and  rallied  round  the  standard  of  General 


THE  AMERICAN  NAVY.  177 

Harrison,  in  such  numbers,  that  he  was  constrained   to 
dismiss  several  whole  regiments,  as  supernumeraries. 

General  Harrison,  in  September,  sent  several  de- 
tachmenWof  those  volunteers,  into  the  Indian  country, 
to  relieve  such  posts  as  were  in  immediate  danger  from 
savage  war,  and  desperate  attacks  ;  particularly  fort 
Harrison,  upon  the  Wabash,  which  Captain  Taylor  wa* 
then  defending  with  desperate  valor. 

ATTACK  ON  FORT  HARRISON. 

Letter  from  Z.  Taylor,  commaryling  Fort  Harrison,   (In  Territory,) 
to   General    Harrison. 

Dated,  Fort  Harrison,  September  IQth,   1812. 
SIR, 

On  Thursday  evening,  the  3d  inst.  after  retreat  beat 
ing,  four  guns  were  heard  to  fire  in  the  direction  where 
two  young  men  (citizens  who  resided  here,)  were  making 
hay,  about  400  yards  distant  from  the  fort ;  I  was  im 
mediately  impressed  with  an  idea  that  they  were  killed 
by  the  Indians,  as  the  Miamies  or  Waes  had  that  day  in 
formed  me,  that  the  Prophet's  party  would  soon  be  here 
for  the  purpose  of  commencing  hostilities  ;  and  that  they 
had  been  directed  to  leave  this  place,  which  they  were 
about  to  do.  I  did  not  think  it  prudent  to  send  out  at  that 
late  hour  of  the  night  to  see  what  became  of  them  ;  and 
their  not  coming  in,  convinced  me  that  I  was  right  in 
my  conjecture  ;  I  waited  until  8  o'clock  next  morning, 
when  I  sent  out  a  corporal,  with  a  small  party,  to  find 
them,|if  it  could  be  done  without  running  too  much  risque 
of  being  drawn  into  a  ambuscade  :  he  soon  sent  back 
to  inform  me  that  he  had  found  them  both  killed,  and 
wished  to  know  my  further  orders  ;  1  sent  the  cart  and 
oxen,  and  had  them  brought  in  and  buried  ;  they  had 
been  each  shot  with  two  balls,  scalped  and  cut  in  the 
most  shocking  manner.  Late  in  the  evening  of  the  4th 
inst.  Joseph  Lenar,  and  between  30  and  40  Indians. 


178  RIgE  AN]E>  PROGRESS  OF 

arrived  from  Prophet's  town  with  a  white  flag,  amon$ 
whom  were  about  10  women,  and  the  men  were  com 
posed  of  chiefs  of  the  different  tribes  that  compose  the 
Prophet's  party. 

A  Shawoneman,  that  spoke  good  English,  informed 
roe  that  old  Lenar  intended  to  speak  to  me  next  mor 
ning,  and  try  to  get  something  to  eat ;  at  retreat  beating,! 
examined  the  men's  arms,  and  found  them  all  in  good 
order,  and  completed  their  cartridges  to  16  rounds  per 
man — as  1  had  not  been  able  to  mount  a  guard  of  more 
than  6  privates  and  two  non-commissioned  officers,  for 
some  time  past,  and  sometimes  part  of  them  every  other 
day,  from  the  unhealthiness  of  the  company,  I  had  not 
conceived  my  force  adequate  to  the  defence  of  this  post, 
should  it  be  vigorously  attacked,  for  some  time  past ; 
as  1  had  just  recovered  from  a  very  severe  attack  of  the 
fever,  I  was  not  able  to  be  up  much  through  the  night 
after  tattoo,  I  cautioned  the  guards  to  be  vigilant,  and 
ordered  one  of  the  non-commissioned  officers,  (as  the 
centinels  could  not  see  every  part  of  the  garrison,)  to 
walk  around  the  inside,  during  the  whole  night,  to  pre 
vent  the  Indians  taking  any  advantage  of  us,  provided 
they  had  any  intention  of  attacking  us.  About  eleven 
o'clock  I  was  awakened  by  the  firing  of  the  centinels  ;  i 
sprang  up,  ran  out  and  ordered  the  men  to  their  posts, 
when  my  orderly  serjant,  who  had  charge  of  the  block 
house,  called  out  that  the  Indians  had  fired  the  lower 
block-house,  which  contained  the  property  of  the  con 
tractor,  which  was  deposited  in  the  lower  part,  the  up 
per  having  been  assigned  to  a  corporal  and  10  privates, 
as  an  alarm  post;  the  guns  had  began  to  (ire  pretty  smart 
ly  from  both  sides— I  directed  the  buckets  to  be  got 
ready,  and  water  brought  from  the  well,  and  the  fire 
extinguished  immediately,  as  it  was  hardly  perceivable 
at  that  time  ;  but  from  debility,  or  some  other  cause, 
the  men  were  very  slow  in  executing  my  orders,  the 
word  appeared  to  throw  them  all  into  confusion,  and  by 
the  firae  they  had  got  the  water,  and  broke  open  the 


.  THE  AMERICAN   NAVY.  {7.9 

door,  the  fire  had  communicated  to  a  quantity  of  whis 
key  ;  and  in  spite  of  every  exertion  we  could  make  use 
of,  in  less  than  a  moment,  it  ascended  to  the  roof,  and 
bafled  every  effort  we  could  make  to  extinguish  it.  As 
that  block-house  adjoined  the  barracks  that  make  part 
of  the  fortifications,  most  of  the  men  immediately  gave 
themselves  up  for  lost,  and  I  had  the  greatest  difficulty 
in  getting  any  of  my  orders  executed,  and  sir,  from  the 
raging  of  the  fire,  the  yelling  and  howling  of  several  hun 
dred  Indians,  the  cries  of  .9  women  and  children  who 
had  taken  shelter  in  the  fort,  and  the  desponding  of  so 
many  of  the  men,  (which  was  worse  than  all,)  I  can  as 
sure  you,  that  my  feelings  were  unpleasant,  indeed 
there  were  not  more  than,  10  or  15  men  able  to  do  a 
great  deal,  the  others  being  either  sick  or  convalescent, 
and  to  add  to  our  misfortunes,  two  of  the  stoutest  men 
of  the  fort,  and  that  I  had  every  confidence  in,  jumped 
the  picket  and  leit  us.  But  my  presence  of  mind  did 
not  for  a  moment  forsake  me  ;  I  saw  by  throwing  off 
part  ofthe  roof  that  joined  the  l>  lock -house  that  was  on 
fire,  and  keeping  the  end  perfectly  wet,  the  whole  row 
of  buildings  might  be  saved,  and  leave  only  an  entrance 
of  18  or  20  fee? for  the  Indians  to  enter  after  the  house 
was  consumed  ;  and  that  a  temporary  breast-work  might 
be  erected,  to  prevent  even  their  entering  there.  I 
convinced  the  men  that  this  could  be  accomplished,  and 
it  appeared  to  inspire  them  with  new  life,  arid  never  did 
men  act  with  more  firmness  or  desperation  ;  those  that 
were  able,  (while  the  others  kept  up  a  fire  from  the 
other  block-house  and  the  two  bastions.)  mounted  the 
roofs  of  the  houses,  with  Doctor  Clarke,  at  their  head 
(who  acted  with  the  greatest  firmness  and  presence  of 
mind,  the  whole  time  the  attack  lasted,  which  was  eight 
hours  under  a  shower  of  bullets.)  and  in  a  moment 
threw  off  as  much  of  the  roof  as  was  necessary,  this  was 
done  with  the  loss  of  one  man  only,  and  two  wounded, 
neither  of  them  dangerously,  the  man  that  was  killed 
a  little  deranged,  and  did  not  get  off  the  hotus  ai 


1  80  RI3E  AND  PROGRESS  OF 

toon  as  directed,  or  he  would  not  have  been  hurt;  and 
although  the  barracks  were  several  times  in  a  blaze,  the 
men  used  such  exertions,  that  they  kept  it  under  and  be 
fore  day  light,  raised  a  temporary  breastwork  as  high  as 
a  man's  head,  although  the  Indians  continued  to  pourin  a 
heavy  fire  of  ball,  and  an  innumerable  quantity  of  ar 
rows,  during  the  whole  time  the  attack  lasted,  in  every 
part  of  the  para  Jc. 

I  had  but  one  other  man  killed,  nor  any  other  wound 
ed  inside  the  fort,  and  he  lost  his  life  by  being  too  anx 
ious  ;  he  got  into  one  of  the  gallies  in  the  bastions  and 
fired  over  the  pickets,  and  called  to  his  comrades  that 
he  had  killed  an  Indian,  and  neglecting  to  stoop  down, 
in  an  instant  he  was  shot  dead  ;  one  of  the  men  that 
jumped  the  picket,  returned  an  hour  before  day,  and 
running  towards  the  gate,  begged  for  God's  sake  it  might 
be  opened  ;  I  suspected  it  to  be  a  stratagem  of  the  In 
dians  to  get  in  :  as  I  did  not  recollect  the  voice,  I  direc 
ted  the  men  in  the  bastion  where  I  happened  to  be,  to 
shoot  him,  let  him  be  who  he  would,  and  one  of  them 
fired  at  him,  but  fortunately  he  ran  up  to  the  other  bas 
tion,  where  they  knew  his  voice,  and  Doctor  Clarke  di 
rected  him  to  lie  down  close  to  the  pickets  behind  an 
empty  barrel  that  happened  to  be  there,  and  at  daylight 
I  had  him  let  in  ;  his  arm  was  broke  in  a  most  shocking 
manner,  which  he  says  was  done  by  the  Indians,  and 
which  1  suppose  was  the  cause  of  his  returning. 

The  other  man  they  caught  about  120  yards  from  the 
garrison,  and  cut  him  all  to  pieces.  After  keeping  up  a 
constant  fire,  until  about  six  o'clock  the  next  morning, 
which  we  began  to  return  with  some  effect  after  day 
light,  they  removed  out  of  the  reach  of  our  guns  ;  a 
party  of  tkem  drove  up  the  horses  that  belonged  to  the 
citizens  here,  and  as  they  could  not  catch  them  very 
readily,  shot  the  whole  of  them,  in  our  sight,  as  well  as  a 
number  of  their  hogs;  they  drove  off  the  whole  of  the 
t-attle  which  amounted  to  65  head,  with  the  public  oxen. 
1  had  the  vacancy  filled  up  before  night,  (which  wag  oc- 


THE  AMERICAN  NAVf.  181 

casioned  by  the  burning  of  the  block-house,)  with  a 
strong  row  of  pickets,  which  I  got  by  pulling  down  the 
guard  house.  We  lost  the  whole  of  our  provisions,  but 
must  make  out  to  live  upon  green  corn  until  we  can  get 
a  supply,  which  I  hope  will  not  be  long.  I  believe  the 
whole  of  Miamies  or  Waes,  were  with  the  prophet's 
party,  as  one  chief  gave  his  orders  in  that  language, 
which  resembled  Stone-eater's  voice,  and  I  believe  Ne 
gro-legs,  was  there  likewise  ;  a  Frenchman  here  under 
stands  their  different  languages,  and  several  of  the  Waes 
that  have  been  frequently  here,  were  recognized  by  the 
soldiers  next  morning  ;  the  Indians  suffered  smartly,  but 
were  so  numerous  as  to  take  off  all  that  were  shot  ;they 
continued  with  us  until  the  next  morning,  but  made  no 
further  attempt  on  the  fort,  nor  have  we  seen  any  thing 
more  of  them  since. 

Z.  TAYLOR. 

His  Ex.  Gov.  HARRISON. 

(Captain  Taylor  received  a  Majority  for  his  bravery 
in  the  above  affair.) 

In  those  expeditions,  generals  Hopkins  and  Tupper. 
with  colonels  Campbell  and  Russell,  distinguished 
themselves,  in  giving  relief  and  security  to  the  forts  and 
frontier  generally. 


CHAPTER  XV. 

General  operations  against  Canada,  continued. 

Soon  after  these  movements,  general  Winchester  de 
tached  a  strong  party,  from  fort  Winchester,  under  the 
command  of  colonel  Lewis,  to  give  assistance  to  the 
village  of  Frenchtown,  upon  the  river  Raisin.  Colonel 
Lewis,  with  his  500  Kentucky,  volunteers  and  regulars, 
16 


182  RISE   AND  PROGRESS  OF 

reached  the  Raisin,  on  the  18th  of  January,  1813;  and 
by  a  bold  and  decisive  movement,  attacked,  routed  and 
dispersed  the  enemy.  , 

General  Harrison,  having  arived  at  fort  Winchester, 
at  this  time,  sent  forward  general  Winchester,  at  the  head 
of  200  men,  to  support  his  detachment,  and  take  the 
command.  He  arrived  safe,  and  encamped  for  the 
night,  contiguous  to  the  fortified  camp  of  colonel  Lewis  ; 
but  the  enemy  collected  his  forces,  and,  supported  by  a 
strong  reinforcement,  on  the  night  of  the  22d,  commen 
ced  a  desperate  attack  upon  the  camp  of  general  Win 
chester,  killed  and  took  the  whole  party,  together  with 
the  general  and  colonel  Lewis.  This  opened  the  way 
for  an  attack  upon  the  fortified  camp  ;  but  a  firm  resis 
tance,  and  desperate  conflict  ensued,  until  about  11  o' 
clock,  then  a  parley  commenced.  The  enemy  profler- 
an  honorable  capitulation,  if  the  party  would  surrender 
prisoners  of  war;  but  threatened  savage  vengeance  if 
they  refused.  His  arts  prevailed  ;  the  whole  detach 
ment  laid  down  their  arms,  and  submitted  as  prisoneri 
of  war. 

General  Proctor  violated  his  engagements,  and  gave 
up  the  prisoners  to  indiscriminate  massacre  as  well  as 
cruel  savage  torture  ;  and  the  wounded  were  the  next 
day,  to  the  number  of  sixty,  all  consumed  in  the  general 
conflagration  of  the  village. 

To  attempt  to  paint  the  horrors  of  this  scene,  would 
exceed  the  powers  of  my  pen  ;  language  would  fail ; 
humanity  stand  appalled,  and  even  Brittania  herself 
would  blush  at  the  deed. 

WINCHESTER'S   AFFAIR. 

Copy  of  a  letter  from    Brig.  Gen.  Winchester,  (now  a  prisoner  of 
War,)  to  the  Secretary  of  War. 

Maiden,  January  23,   1313. 
SIR, 

A  detachment  from  the  left  wing  of  the  N.  W.  Army 
under  my  command,  at  Frenchtown,  on  the  river  Rai- 


THE  AMERICAN  NAVY.  183 

sin,  was  attacked  on  the  22d  inst,  by  a  force,  greatly  su 
perior  in  number,  aided  by  several  pieces  of  artillery. 
The  action  commenced  at  the  dawn  of  day  ;  the  pick 
et  guards  were  driven  in,  and  a  heavy  fire  opened  on 
the  whole  line,  by  which  a  part  thereof  was  thrown  in 
to  disorder  ;  and,  being  ordered  to  retire  a  small  dis 
tance,  in  order  to  form  on  more  advantageous  ground, 
I  found  the  enemy  doubling  our  left  flank,  with  force 
and  rapidity. 

A  destructive  fire  was  sustained  for  some  time  ;  at 
length,  borne  down  by  numbers,  the  few  of  us  that  re 
mained,  with  the  party  that  retired  from  the  lines,  sub 
mitted. 

The  remainder  of  our  force,  in  number  about  400, 
continued  to  defend  themselves,  with  great  gallantry. 
in  an  unequal  contest,  against  small  arms  and  artillery, 
until  I  was  brought  in  as  a  prisoner,  to  that  part  of  the 
field  occupied  by  the  enemy. 

At  this  latter  place,  I  understood  that  our  troops 
were  defendingthernselves,  in  a  state  of  desperation,  and 
was  informed  by  the  commanding  officer  of  the  enemy, 
that  he  would  afford  them  an  opportunity  of  surrender 
ing  themselves,  prisoners  of  war  ;  to  which  I  acceded. 
I  was  the  more  ready  to  make  the  surrender,  that,  un 
less  done  quickly,  the  buildings  adjacent  would  be  im 
mediately  set  on  tire,  and  that  no  responsibility  would 
be  taken  for  the  conduct  of  the  savages,  who  were 
then  assembled  in  great  numbers.  In  this  critical  situ 
ation,  being  desirous  to  preserve  the  lives  of  a  number 
of  our  brave  fellows,  who  still  held  out,  I  sejp-  a  flag  to 
them,  and  agreed  with  the  commanding  officer  of  the 
enemy,  that  they  should  be  surrendered,  prisoners  of 
war,  on  condition  of  being  protected  from  the  savages, 
allowed  to  retain  their  private  property,  and  having  their 
side-arms  returned  to  them.  It  is  impossible  for  me  to 
ascertain,  with  certainty,  the  loss  we  have  sustained  in 
this  action,  from  the  impracticability  of  knowing  th* 
number  who  made  their  escape. 


1 84  RISE  AND  PROGRESS  OF 

Thirty-five  officers,  and  about  487  non-commissioned 
officers  and  privates,  are  prisoners  of  war — our  loss,  in 
killed,  is  considerable. 

However  unfortunate  may  seem  the  affair  of  yester 
day,  I  am  flattered  by  a  belief,  that  no  material  error i* 
chargeable  upon  myself,  and  that  still  less  censure  i§ 
deserved  by  the  troops  I  had  the  honor  of  command 
ing. 

With  the  exception  of  that  portion  of  our  force 
which  was  thrown  into  disorder,  no  troops  have  ever 
behaved  with  a  more  determined  intrepidity.  The  In 
dians  have,  still,  a  few  prisoners  in  their  possession, 
which,  I  hope  will  be  given  up  to  Col.  Proctor,  at  Sand 
wich. 

I  have  the  honor,  &c. 

JAS.   WINCHESTER,  Brig.  Gen. 

Secretary  of  War. 

FURTHER  REPORT. 

Copy  of  a   letter  from  Gen.   Winchester  to  the  Secretary  of  War^ 

dated 

Fort  George,  U.  Canada,  1 1th  Feb.   1813. 

SIR, 

The  first  charge  which  my  troops  received,  on  the 
22d  ult.  at  the  river  Raisin,  was  from  the  41st  regiment 
of  British  regulars  ;  out  of  300  of  these  troops  30  fell 
dead  on  the  field,  and  about  one  hundred  wounded  were 
removed  fom  the  ground.  It  is  impossible  to  say  how 
many  of  tnW  Canadian  militia,  and  his  majesty's  allies, 
fell  ;  but  the  number  must  have  been  very  great,  as  they 
were  exposed  for  4  hours  to  a  continued  and  heavy  fire 
from  our  musquets  and  rifles,  our  men  being  behind  a 
breast-work.  The  action  had  endured  about  a  quarter 
of  an  hour,  when  the  right  division  of  our  troops,  who 
were  less  secured  by  a  breast-work,  and  exposed  to  a 
heavy  fire  from  a  body  of  Indians  and  militia,  who  had 


THE  A  ME IUC  A  N '  N  A  V  Y.  j  g  4 

possessed  themselves  of  some  out-houses  within  their 
reach,  were  obliged  to  retreat  from  their  lines  in  the  en 
campment,  for  the  purpose  of  occupying  ground  less 
exposed.  This  retreat  being  discovered  by  the  enemy, 
the  whole  Indian  force,  together  with  a  portion  of  the 
militia  bore  down  upon  them  with  redoubled  violence, 
and  prevented,  by  their  superiority  of  numbers,  and  the 
severity  of  their  fire,  the  practicability  of  ever  again  form 
ing  this  portion  of  our  troops  in  order  of  battle.  It 
was  from  this  division  that  our  principal  loss  was  sustain 
ed,  few  indeed  having  escaped.  Every  effort,  in  vain, 
was  employed  to  form  them  in  some  order  of  action,  a« 
affording  the  only  means  of  either  repelling  the  pursu 
ers,  or  regaining  the  temporary  breast-work,  from  be 
hind  which, the  remaining  part  of  our  troops  still  gal 
lantly  defended  themselves  ;  but  every  exertion  was  in 
vain  employed,  and  the  very  few  who  survived,  of  the 
party,  surrendered  as  prisoners  to  the  enemy. 

Our  loss,  in  this  action,  will  be  ascertained  by  the  list 
herewith  enclosed.  Among  the  killed,  I  have  to  lament 
several  brave  and  valuable  officers,  some  of  whom  had 
distinguished  themselves  in  the  action  of  the  evening  of 
the  18th,  and  fell  on  the  22d5iwhile  unavailingly  engaged 
in  rallying  the  troops,  who  retreated  in  disorder  from 
the  lines.  Among  those  the  loss  of  Col.  John  Allen 
and  Major  Elijah  M'Clannahan,  is  to  be  particularly  re 
gretted,  also  Capt.  John  H.  Woolfolk,  one  of  my  aids- 
de-camp  ;  their  exertions  were  unsuccessful,  notwith 
standing  every  possible  exertion  was  employed  ;  they 
bravely  fell  in  discharge  of  their  respective  duties. 
While  I  regret  the  fate  of  those  who  bravely  fell  upon 
this  occasion,  I  should  do  injustice  to  pass  over,  without 
notice,  the  few  partakers  in  their  danger,  who  were 
fortunate  to  survive  them.  To  Lieut  Col.  William. 
Lewis,  who  commanded  on  the  18th,  and  to  Capt.  John, 
Overton,  my  aid-de-camp,  who  attended  my  person  on 
the  field,  my  thanks  are  particularly  due,  for  their 
prompt  and  willing  exertion,  during  every  period  of  th« 

16* 


186  RISE   AND  PROGRESS  OF 

conflict.  To  the  officers  and  soldiers,  who  bravely 
maintained  their  ground  in  the  temporary  fortifications, 
too  much  praise  cannot  be  bestowed.  Assailed  by 
numbers  greatly  superior,  supported  by  six  pieces  of  ar 
tillery,  constantly  employed,  they  gallantly  defended 
with  small  arms  alone,  for  near  four  hours  of  constant 
battle.  No  troops  ever  behaved  with  more  cool  and 
determined  bravery;  from  the  commanding  officer 
down  to  the  private  soldier,  there  was  scarce  a  single 
abandonment  of  duty  ;  and  at  the  last,  when  their  am 
munition  was  nearly  exhausted,  and  surrounded  by  the 
enemy,  greatly  superior  in  number  and  the  means  of 
war,  surrendered  with  a  reluctance  rarely  to  be  found 
upon  similar  occasion  >.  The  officers  commanding  in 
the  breast-work,  and  who  deserve  particular  notice,  if 
distinction  could  easily  be  drawn,  were  Majors  Benja 
min  Graves  and  George  Madison  ;  Captains  Hightower, 
Hart,  Williams.  Cholicr,  Sebree,  Hamilton,  Keleby, 
Bledsoe,  Ballard,  and  James  ;  Brigade-major  James 
Garrard,  Adjutant  John  M'Calla,  and  Qr.  Master  Pol 
lard  Keen  ;  they  defended  themselves  to  the  last,  with 
great  gallantry,  and  merit  my  warmest  gratitude,  a* 
well  as  the  highest  praise  of  their  country. 

With   sentiments  of  the  highest  respect,  &c.  ,  * 

J.  WINCHESTER,  Brig.  Gen.  U.  S.  A. 
Hon.  Sec.  at  War. 

Our  loss  in  killed  and  missing  is  397 — the   wounded 
being  included  in  the  list  of  prisoners  forwarded. 


THE  AMERICAN  NAVY.  ]  37 

CHAPTER  XVI. 

Subject  Continued. 

General  Harrison,  upon  the  first  intelligence  of  thi§ 
defeat,  constructed  hastily,  a  stockade  upon  the  Miami 
of  the  Lake,  for  the  protection  of  his  troops,  which  he 
called  fort  Meigs.  * 

General  Proctor  followed  up  his  victory;  advanced 
to  meet  general  Harrison,  and  invested  him  in  fort 
Meigs.  He  commenced  his  attacks  upon  this  fort,  with 
great  fury,  which  continued  for  several  days,  until  gen 
eral  Clay  and  colonel  Dudley  advanced  for  the  relief  of 
the  fort,  and  put  the  enemy  to  flight.  Colonel  Dudley, 
in  his  unguarded  pursuit  of  the  enemy,  fell  into  an  am 
bush,  and  suffered  severely,  in  the  loss  of  his  whole 
party. 

General  Clay,  in  co-operation  with  the  garrison,  suc 
ceeded  in  raising  the  siege,  and  dispersing  the  enemy ; 
and  thus  fort  Meigs  was  relieved,  after  a  siege  of  thir 
teen  days. 

GEN.  HARRISON'S  ARMY 

Copy  of  a  letter  from  Gen.  Harrison,  to  the  Secretary  of  War,  dated 
Head-Quarter 's,  Camp  Meigs ,  9//i  May,  1813. 

SIR — 1'have  the  honor  to  inform  you,  that  the  ene 
my,  having  been  several  days  making  preparations  for 
raising  the  siege  of  this  post,  accomplished  this  day  the 
removal  of  their  artillery,  from  the  opposite  bank,  and 
about  12  o'clock  left  their  encampment  below,  were 
•oon  embarked,  and  out  of  sight. — I  have  the  honor  !• 

*  la  honor  of  the  then  governor  of  the  state  of  Ohie. 


J88  RrSE  AND  PROGRESS  OF 

enclose  you  an  agreement  between  Gen.  Proctor  and 
myself,  for  the  discharge  of  the  prisoners  of  the  Ken 
tucky  militia,  m  his  possession,  and  for  the  exchange 
of  the  officers  and  men  of  the  regular  troops,  which 
were  respectively  possessed  by  us.  My  anxiety  to  get 
the  Kentucky  troops  released,  as  ,early  as  possible,  in 
duced  me  to  agree  to  the  dismission  of  all  the  prisoners 
1  had,  although  there  was  not  as  many  of  ours,  in  Gen. 
Proctor's  possession;  the  surplusage  is  to  be  account 
ed  for,  and  an  equal  number  of  ours  released  from 
their  parole,  whenever  the  government  may  think  prop 
er  to  direct  it. 

The  two  actions  on  this  side  of  the  river,  on  the  5th, 
were  infinitely  more  important,  and  more  honorable  to 
our  arms,  than  I  had  at  first  conceived.  In  the  sortie 
made  upon  the  left  flank,  Capt.  Waring's  company  of 
the  19th  regiment,  a  detachment  of  12  months  volun 
teers,  under  Major  Alexander,  and  three  companies  of 
Kentucky  militia,  under  Col.  Boswell,  defeated,  at  least, 
double  the  number  of  Indians  and  British  militia.  The 
sortie  on  the  right  was  still  more  glorious.  The  British 
batteries,  in  that  direction,  were  defended  by  the  grena 
dier  and  light  infantry  companies,  of  the  41st  regi 
ment,  amounting  to  200  effectives,  and  two  companies  of 
militia,  flanked  by  a  host  of  Indians.  The  detachment 
sent  to  attack  these,  consisted  of  all  the  men  off  duty, 
belonging  to  the  companies  of  Croghan  and  Bradford,, 
of  the  17th  regiment,  Langham,  Elliott's  (late  Gra 
ham's)  and  Waring's,  of  the  19th,  about  80  of  Major 
Alexander's  volunteers,  and  a  single  company  of  Ken 
tucky  militia,  under  Capt.  Sebry,  amounting,  in  the 
whole,  to  not  more  than  340.  Yet  the  event  of  the 
action  was  not  a  moment  doubtful,  and,  had  not  the 
British  troops  been  covered  in  their  retreat,  by  their 
mllies,  the  whole  of  them  would  have  been  taken. 

It  is   not   possible  for   troops   to  behave  better  than 
our's  did,  throughout;  all  the  officers  exerted  them- 
to  execute  my  orders,  and  the  enemy,  who  had  a 


THE  AMERICAN  NAVY. 


189 


full  view  of  our  operations,  from  the  opposite  shore,  de 
clared  that  they  had  never  seen  so  much  work  done,  in 
so  short  a  time. 

To  all  the  commandants  of  corps,  I  feel  particular 
obligations ;  these  were  Col.  Miller,  of  the  1 9th  infan 
try,  Col.  Mills,  of  the  Ohio  militia,  Major  Stoddart,  of 
the  artillery,  Major  Ball,  of  the  dragoons,  and  Major 
Johnson,  of  the  Kentucky  militia. 

Captain  Gratiot,  of  the  engineers,  having  beenrfor 
a  long  time,  much  indisposed/  the  task  of  fortifying  this 
post  devolved  on  Captain  Wood  ;  it  could  not  have 
been  placed  in  better  hands.  Permit  me  to  recommend 
him  to  the  President,  and  to  assure  you  that  any  mark 
of  his  approbation,  bestowed  on  Captain  Wood,*  would 
be  highly  gratifying  to  the  whole  of  the  troops  who  wit 
nessed  his  arduous  exertions. 

From  Major  Hukill,  my  aid-de-camp  Major  Graham. 
Lieutenant  O 'Fallen,  and  my  volunteer  aid-de-camp^ 
John  Johnson.  Esq.  I  received  the  most  useful  assist 


ance. 


I  have  the  honor  to  enclose  you  a  list  of  the  killed 
and  wounded,  during  the  siege,  and  in  the  two  sorties  ;: 
those  of  the  latter  were  much  greater  than  I  had  at  first 
expected. 

Want  of  sleep,  and  exposures  to  the  continued  rain$ 
which  have  fallen  almost  every  day,  for  some  time  past, 
renders  me  incapable  of  mentioning  many  interesting 
particulars  ;  amongst  others,  a  most  extraordinary  pro 
position  of  Gen.  Proctor's,  on  the  subject  of  the  Indians, 
within  our  boundary ;  this  shall  form  the  subject  of  a 
communication,  to  be  made  to-morrow  or  next  day,  and 
ix>r  which  I  will  provide  a  safer  conveyance  than  that 
which  carries  this. 

All  the  prisoners  and  deserters  agree  in  saying,  that 
the  information  given  to  Major  Stoddard,  by  Ryland,  of 
the  British  having  launched  a  sloop  of  war,  this  spring 


190  RISE  AND  PROGRESS  OF 

is  incorrect;  the  most  of  them  say,  that  the   one  novr 
building  will  not  be  launched  for  many  weeks. 

I  am,  &c. 

W.  H.  HARRISON. 
Hon.  J.  ARMSTRONG. 

In  the  siege,  and  the  several  sorties  of  the  5th  instant, 
there  were  81  killed,  and  189  wounded — total,  killed 
and  wounded,  270. 


FURTHER  PROCEEDINGS. 

Copy  of  a  Despatch  from  Maj    General  Wrn.  II.  Harrison,  to  the 
Secretary  of  War,  dated 

Head  Quarters,  Lower  Sandusky,  May  13,  1813» 
SIR— 

Having  ascertained  that  the  enemy  (Indians  as  well 
as  British),  had  entirely  abandoned  the  neighborhood 
of  the  Rapids,  I  left  the  command  of  Camp  Meigs  with 
General  Clay,  and  came  here  last  night.  It  is  with  the 
greatest  satisfaction  I  inform  you,  Sir,  that  I  have  every 
reason  to  believe  that  the  loss  of  the  Kentucky  troops, 
in  killed,  on  the  north  side  of  the  river,  does  not  exceed 
fifty.  On  the  10th  and  llth  inst.  I  caused  the  ground, 
which  was  the  scene  of  action,  and  its  environs,  to  be 
carefully  examined  ;  and,  after  the  most  diligent  search, 
45  bodies  only,  of  our  men,  were  discovered  ;  amongst 
them  was  the  leader  of  the  detachment,  Col.  Dudley. 
No  other  officer  of  note  fell  in  the  action.  I  have 
strong  reason  to  believe,  that  a  considerable  number  of 
Kentuckians  effected  their  retreat  up  the  river,  to  fort 
Winchester.  General  Proctor  did  not  furnish  me  with, 
a  return  of  the  prisoners  in  his  possession,  although  re 
peatedly  promised. 

His  retreat  was  as  precipitate  as  it  could  properly  be, 
leaving  a  number  of  cannon  balls,  a  new  and  elegant 
sling  for  cannon,  and  other  valuable  articles.  The 
night  before  his  departure,  two  persons  that  were  em- 


THE  AMERICAN  NAVY.  jgt 

ployed  in  the  British  gun-boats,   (Americans  by  birth) 
deserted    to    us— the  information  they  gave  me   was 
very   interesting;  they   say  that   the  Indians,    1600?  or 
2000,  left  the  British,  the  day  before  their  departure,  in 
a  high  state  of  dissatisfaction,  from  the  great  loss  which 
they  had  sustained  in  the  several  engagements  of  the  5th, 
and  the  failure  of  the  British,  in  accomplishing  their 
promise,  of  taking  the  post  at  the  Rapids.     From  the 
account  given  by  these  men,  my  opinion  is  confirmed  of 
the  great  superiority  of  the  enemy,  which  were  defeat 
ed  by  our  troops  in  the  two  sallies,  made  on  the  5th  inst. 
That,   led  by  Col.  Miller,   did   not   exceed  350   men  ; 
and  it  is  very  certain  that  they  defeated  200  British  reg 
ulars,  150   militiamen,   and  4    or   500   Indians.     That 
American  regulars,  (although  they  were  raw  recruits,)  and 
such  men  as  compose  the  Pittsburgh,  Penn.  and  Peterg- 
burgh,  Va.  volunteers,  should  behave  well,  is  not  to  be 
wondered  at;  but  that  a  company  of  militia  should  main 
tain  its  ground,  against  four  times  its  numbers,  as  did  Cap 
tain  Sebre's,  of  the  Kentucky,istruly  astonishing.   These 
brave  fellows  were  at  length,  however,  entirely  sur 
rounded  by  Indians,  and  would  have  been   entirely  cut 
off,  but  for  the  gallantry  of  Lieut.  Gwynne,  of  the/  10th 
regiment,  who,  with  a  part  of  Captain  Elliott's  compa 
ny,  charged  the  enemy,  and  released  the    Kentuckians. 
You  will  receive,  herewith,  a  monthly  return  of  the 
troops,  at  Meigs,  for  the  last  month  ;  the"  communication 
with  the  other  posts   being  cut   off,  the  returns  were 
not  received.     A  copy  of  Gen.  Clay's  report  to  me,  of 
the  manner  of  his  executing  my  order,  for  the  attack  on 
the  enemy's  batteries,  is  likewise  forwarded,  by   which 
it  will  be  seen  that  my  intentions  were  perfectly  under 
stood  ;  and  the  great  facility  with  which  they  might  have 
been  executed,  is  apparent  to  every  individual  who  wit 
nessed  the  scene  ;  indeed,  the  cannon  might  have  been 
spiked,  the  carriages  cut  to  pieces,   the  magazine  de 
stroyed,  and  the  retreat  effected  to  the  boats,  without 
the  loss  of  a  man,  as  none  were  killed  in  taking  the  bat 
teries — so  complete  wai  the  surprize. 


192  RISE  AND  PROGRESS  OF 

An  extensive  open  plain  intervenes,  between  the  riv 
er  and  the  hill,  upon  which  the  batteries  of  the  enemy 
were  placed  ;  this  plain  was  raked  by  4  of  our  18 
pounders,  a  12,  and  a  6  ;  the  enemy,  even  before  their 
guns  were  spiked,  could  not  have  brought  one  to  bear 
upon  it.  So  perfectly  secured  was  their  retreat,  that 
150  men,  who  carne  off,  effected  it  without  loss,  and 
brought  off  some  of  the  wounded,  one  of  them  upon  the 
backs  of  his  comrades.  The  Indians  followed  them  to 
the  woods,  but  dared  not  enter  into  the  plain. 

I  am  unable  to  form  a  correct  estimate  of  the  ene 
my's  force.  The  prisoners  varied  much  in  their  ac 
counts  ;  those  who  made  them  least,  stated  the  regulars 
at  550,  and  the  militia  at  800,  but  the  number  of  In 
dians  were  beyond  comparison  greater  than  have  ever 
been  brought  into  the  field  before  ;  numbers  arrived 
after  the  siege  commenced.  I  have  caused  their  camps, 
on  the  S.  E.  side  of  the  river,  to  be  particularly  exam 
ined,  and  the  general  opinion  is,  that  there  could  not 
have  been  fewer  on  that  side,  than  10  or  1-200 — they 
were,  indeed,  the  efficient  force  of  the  enemy. 

I  am  sorry  to  inform  you,  that  Major  Stoddard  died 
the  night  before  I  left  the  liapids,  of  a  lock-jaw,  produ 
ced  by  a  slight  wound,  from  a  fragment  of  a  shell,  which 
struck  him  on  the  thigh  ;  several  have  died  in  this  way, 
from  their  great  and  unavoidable  exposure  to  the  cold  ; 
but,  perhaps,  there  were  never  so  many  instances  of  des 
perate  wounds  being  likely  to  do  well.  The  gallant 
Captain  Bradford  will  recover. 

1  shall  go  from  here  to  Upper  Sandusky,  and  shall 
take  rny  static^  at  Delaware,  or  Franklinton,  until  the 
troops  are  assembled.  Gen.  Clay,  who  commands  at 
the  Rapids,  is  a  man  of  capacity,  and  entirely  to  be  re 
lied  upon. 

1  have  the  honor,  &c. 

WM.  H.  HARRISON. 

Hon.  J.  ARMSTRONG, 

Sic'y  of  War, 


THE   AMERICAN  NAVY.  133 

GENERAL  CLAY'S  REPORT. 

Copy  of  a  letter  from  Gen.  Clay  to  Gen.  Harrison. 

Camp  at  Fort  Meigs,  May — ,  1813. 
SIR, 

On  the  5th  instant,  about  8  o'clock,  A.  M.  descen 
ding  the  Miami,  of  the  lake,  about  midway  of  the  Ra 
pids,  with  1  '200  of  the  Kentucky  troops,  in  eighteen  flat 
bottomed  boats,  1  was  met  by  Capt.  Hamilton,  and  a 
subaltern,  who  delivered  me  (as  he  said)  the  orders  of 
Maj.  Gen.  Harrison,  to  the  following  effect: 

u  You  must  detach  about  800  men  from  your  brigade* 
who  will  land  at  a  point  I  will  show,  about  one,  or  one 
and  a  half  miles  above  the  fort,  and  I  will  conduct  them 
to  the  British  batteries,  on  the  left  bank  of  the  river — 
they  must  take  possession  of  the  enemy's  cannon,  spike 
them,  cut  down  the  carriages,  and  return  to  their  boats," 
observing  that  the  British  force,  at  their  large  batteries, 
was  inconsiderable  ;  but  that  their  main  force  was  at 
the  old  garrison,  about  one  and  a  half  miles  below,  on 
the  same  side  of  the  river — "  the  balance  of  the  men,  un 
der  your  command,  must  land  on  the  right  bank,  oppo 
site  the  first  landing,  and  will  fight  their  way,  through 
the  Indians,  to  the  fort'' — observing  that  the  route  thus 
to  be  taken  would  be  shown  by  a  subaltern  officer  there, 
in  company  with  Captain  Hamilton,  who  would  land 
the  perouge  at  the  point  on  the  right  bank  at  which  the 
boats  would  land. 

The  order  of  descending  the  river  in  boats,  was  the 
same  as  the  order  of  march,  in  linejjf  battle,  in  solid 
column,  each  officer  taking  position  according  to  his 
rank.  Col  Dudley,  the  eldest  Colonel,  led  the  van, 
and  in  this  order,  the  river  had  been  descended.  As 
soon  as  Captain  Hamilton  had  delivered  these  orders, 
being  in  the  thirteenth  boat  from  the  front,  I  directed 
him  to  proceed  immediately  to  Col.  Dudley,  and  order 
17 


194  RISE  AND  PROGRESS  OF 

him  to  take  the  men  in  the  12  front  boats,  and  execute 
Gen.  Harrison's  orders,  on  the   left  bank  of  the  river  ; 
and  post  his  (Capt.   Hamilton's)  subaltern  on    the  right 
bank,  to  conduct  myself,  with  the  men  in  the  six   rear 
boats,    to  the  fort.     I    ordered    the  five   boats  in  the 
rear  to  fall  in  a  line,  and  follow  me.     High  winds,  and 
the  rapidity  of  the  current,  drove  four  of  the  rear  boats 
ashore,  in  the  attempt  to  follow  on  according  to  order, 
where  they  remained  a  short  time  ;  sufficient,  however, 
to  detain  them  one  half,  or  three  fourths  of  a  mile   in 
the  rear. — To   land,  according  to  order,   I   kept   close 
along  the  right  bank,  until  opposite  Col.  Dudley's  land 
ing  ;  there  I   found  no  guide  left,  to  conduct  me  to  the 
fort,  as  Captain  Hamilton  had  promised.     I  then  made 
an  attempt  to  cross  the  river,  and  join  Col.   Dudley  ; 
but,  from  the  rapid  current  on  the  falls,  I  was  unable  to 
land   on  the  point  with  him.     Being  nearly    half  way 
across  the    river,  and  the  waves  running  too  high   to 
risque  the  boat,  then  driven  down  the  current  sidewise, 
yeered  about,  and  rowed  the  best  way  we  could,  to  save 
the  boats.     My  attempt  to  cross  the  river,  to  Col.  Dud 
ley,  occasioned  all  the  boats,  (I  presume   in  the  rear  of 
me,)  and  which  were  then  out  of  hailing   distance,    to 
cross  over,  and  land  with  Col.  Dudley.     Having  been 
defeated  in  a  landing  on  the  left,  we  then   endeavored 
to  effect  one  on  the  right,  even   without  a   guide  ;  but, 
before  a  landing  could  be  effected,  we  received  a  brisk 
fire  from  the  enemy  on  shore,  which  was  returned,  and 
kept  up  on  both   sides  ;  and  1  was,  in  this  unavoidable 
situation,  compelled  to  make  to  F.  Meigs,  with  no  other 
force  than  about  50  men  on  board,  (the  other  boats  being 
still  in  the  rear)  and  to  receive  the  enemy's  fire,  until  we 
arrived  under  the  protection  of  the  fort.   Col.  Boswell'g 
command  (except  the  men  in  my  boat,  having   landed, 
to  join  CoL   Dudley,  were,  as   I  have    been    informed, 
ordered,  by  Captain  Hamilton,  immediately  to  embark, 
and  land  on   the  right  hand  shore,  about  a   mile  above 
the  fort,  and  prepare  to   fight  his  way  through  to  the 


THE  AMERICAN  NAVY.  195 

garrison.  The  Colonel  embarked,  landed,  as  he  con 
ceived,  at  the  proper  point,  pursuant  to  Captain  Ham 
ilton's  order,  and  was  forming  his  men  in  order  of  bat 
tle,  when  he  was  met  by  Captain  Shaw,  and  ordered  to 
march  into  the  garrison,  at  open  order,  the  safest  route. 

When  my  own  boat  landed,  we  were  met  by  two  men, 
who  took  charge  of  the  boat,  as  we  understood,  to  bring 
her  under  the  protection  of  the  fort  batteries  ;  believ 
ing  our  baggage  to  be  thus  made  safe,  we  forbid  our  ser 
vants  to  carry  any  portion  of  it ;  but  loaded  them  with 
cannon  balls,  which  they  bore  to  the  fort.  Our  baggage 
was,  however,  taken  by  the  Indians,  in  a  very  short 
time  after  we  left  the  boat.  In  receiving  the  orders  of 
Capt.  Hamilton,  I  asked  if  he  had  brought  spikes,  to 
spike  the  enemy's  cannon  ?  to  which  he  replied,  that 
he  had  plenty.  Captain  Hamilton,  on  delivering  the 
orders  of  General  Harrison,  observed  that  the  object  of 
landing,  and  marching  a  portion  of  the  troops  on  the 
right  bank,  was  to  draw  the  attention  of  the  Indians  ; 
and  by  thus  engaging  them,  afford  an  opportunity  to 
(he  garrison  to  make  a  sally  ;  and,  by  a  circuitous 
route,  surprize  and  carry  the  batteries,  and  cannon  of 
the  enemy,  below  the  fort,  on  the  right  bank. 
I  am,  respectfully,  &c. 

GREEN  CLAY,  Brig.  Gen. 

His  Ex.  Maj.  Gen.  HARRISON. 
(A  true  Copy) 

G.  CROGHAN,  A.  D.  C. 


RISE  AND  PROGRESS  OF 


CHAPTER  XVII. 

Naval  Operations  Renewed. 

^These  gloomy  and  distressing  scenes  of  the  forest, 
served  as  so  many  shades  to  the  brilliant  scenes  on  the 
ocean,  where  the  American  flag  continued  to  wave  vic 
torious. 

On  the  24th  of  February,  1813,  captain  Lawrence, 
in  the  Hornet,  of  sixteen  guns,  fell  in  with,  and  captured 
his  Britannic  majesty's  brig  Peacock,  of  eighteen  guns, 
after  an  action  of  fifteen  minutes.  The  Peacock  went 
down,  at  the  close  of  the  action,  with  her  brave  captain 
Peake  and  the  rest  of  her  killed  ;  but  the  thirty-three 
wounded,  were  all  saved.  The  Hornet  had  onekilledt 
four  wounded,  and  lost  three  sunk  in  the  prize. 

CAPTURE  OF  THE  PEACOCK. 

Copy  of  a  letter  from  Captain   James  Lawrence,  of  the  U.  Sloop  oi 
War  Hornet,  to  the  Secretary  of  the  Navy. 

U.  S.  Ship  Hornet, 

Holmes'  Hole,  March  19.    1813. 
SIR, 

I  have  the  honor  to  inform  you  of  the  arrival  at  this 
port,  of  the  U.  S.  ship  Hornet,  under  my  command,  from 
a  cruise  of  145  days  ;  and  to  state  to  you,  that,  after 
Com.  Bainbridge  left  the  coast  of  Brazils,  (January  6,) 
I  continued  off  the  harbor  of  St.  Salvadore,  blockading 
the  Bonne  Citoyenne,  until  the  24th,  when  the  Mon 
tague.  74,  hove  in  sight,  and  chased  me  into  the  harbor  ; 


AMERICAN  NAVY.  197 

but,  night  coming  on,  I  wore,  and  stood   out  to  the 
southward. 

Knowing  that  he  had  left  Rio  Janeiro,  forthe  ekpress 
purpose  of  relieving  the  Bonne  Citoyenne,  and  the 
Packet  (which  f  had  also  blockaded  14  days,  and  obli 
ged  her  to  send  her  mail  to  Rio  in  a  Portuguese  smack,) 
1  judged  it  most  prudent  to  shift  my  cruising  ground, 
and  hauled  by  the  wind  to  the  westward,  with  a  view  of 
cruising  off  Pernarnbuca,  and,  on  the  4th  of  February, 
captured  the  English  brig  Resojution,  of  10  guns, 
from  Rio  Janeiro,  bound  to  Maranham,  with  coffee, jer 
ked  beef,  flour,  fustic,  and  butter,  and  about  23,000  dol 
lars  in  specie.  As  she  sailed  dull,  and  I  could  ill  spare 
hands  to  man  her,  1  took  out  the  money  and  set  her  on 
fire.  I  then  ran  down  the  coast  for  Maranham.  and 
cruised  there  a  short  time  ;  from  thence  run  off  Surri- 
nam.  After  cruising  off  that  coast  from  the  15th  until 
the  22d  February,  without  meeting  a  vess«l,  I  stood  for 
Demarara,  with  an  intention,  should  1  not  be  fortunate 
on  that  station,  to  run  through  the  W.  I.  on  my  way  to 
the  U.  States  ;  but  on  the  24th,  in  the  morning,  I  dis 
covered  a  brig  to  leeward,  to  which  I  gave  chase  ;  run 
into  quarter  less  four,  and  not  having  a  pilot,  was  obli 
ged  to  haul  off  the  fort,  at  the  entrance  of  Demarara 
river,  bearing  S.  W.  distant  two  and  a  half  leagues. 
Previous  to  giving  up  the  chase,  I  discovered  a  vessel 
at  anchor,  without  the  bar,  with  English  colours  flying, 
apparently  a  brig  of  war.  In  beating  round  Car- 
obana  bank,  in  order  to  get  to  her,  at  half  past  3,  P.  JVK 
I  discovered  another  sail  on  my  weather  quarter,  edging 
down  for  us— at  4,  20,  she  hoisted  English  colours,  at 
wh;ch  time  we  discovered  her  to  be  a  large  man  of  war 
brig — beat  to  quarters,  and  cleared  ship  for  action,  and 
kept  close  by  the  wind,  in  order,  if  possible,  to  get  the. 
weather-guage — at  5,  10,  tinding  I  could  weather  the 
enemy,  1  hoisted  American  colours,  and  tacked — at  5, 
25,  in  passing  each  other,  exchanged  broadsides,  within 
half  pistol  shot.  Observing  the  enemy  in  the  act  of 
17* 


198  RISE  AND  PROGRESS  OF 

wearing,  I  bore  up,  received  his  starboard  broadside, 
run  him  close  on  board  on  the  starboard  quarter,  and 
kept  ilpsuch  a  heavy  and  well-directed  fire,  that  in  less 
than  15  minutes  she  surrendered,  (being  totally  cut  to 
pieces)  and  hoisted  an  ensign  union  down  from  his  fore 
rigging,  as  a  signal  of  distress.  Shortly  after,  her  main 
mast  went  by  the  board — despatched  Lieut,  Shnbrick  on 
board,  who  soon  returned  with  her  1st  Lieut,  who  re 
ported  her  to  be  his  B.  M.  late  brig  Peacock,  comman 
ded  by  Capt.  William  Peake,  who  fell  in  the  latter  part 
of  the  action  ;  that  a  number  of  her  crew  were  killed  and 
wounded,  and  that  she  was  sinking  fast,  she  having  then 
six  feet  water  in  her  hold  — despatched  the  boats  imme 
diately  for  the  wounded,  and  brought  both  vesels  to  an 
chor.  Such  shot-holes  as  could  be  got  at,  were  then 
plugged,  guns  thrown  ovcrbpayl,  and  every  possible  ex 
ertion  used  to  keep  her  afloatf  until  the  prisoners  could 
be  removed,  by  pumping  ana  bailing — but  without  ef 
fect,  as  she  unfortunately  sunk,  in  five  and  a  half  fath- 
cms  water,  carrying  down  13  of  her  crew,  and  three  of 
my  bravo  fellows,  viz.  John  Hart.  Joseph  Williams,  and 
Hannibal  Boyd.  Lieut.  Conner  and  Midshipman  Coop 
er,  and  the  remainder  of  my  men,  employed  in  remov 
ing  the  prisoners,  with  difficulty  saved  themselves,  by 
jumping  into  a  boat  that  was  lying  on  the  booms,  as  she 
went  down.  Four  men,  of  the  1  3  mentioned,  were  so 
fortunate  as  to  gain  the  fore-top,  and  were  afterwards 
taken  off  by  our  boats.  Previous  to  her  going  down, 
four  of  her  men  took  to  her  stern  boat,  that  had  been 
much  damaged  during  the  action,  who,  1  sincerely  hope, 
reached  the  shore  ;  but,  from  the  heavy  sea  running  at 
that  time,  the  shattered  state  of  the  boat,  and  difficulty 
of  landing  on  the  coast,  1  am  fearful  they  were  lost.— 
[  have  not  been  able  to  ascertain,  from  her  officers,  the 
exact  number  of  killed.  Capt.  Peake,  and  4  men,  were 
found  dead  on  board  ;  the  Master,  one  Midshipman. 
Carpenter  and  Captain's  Clerk,  and  29  men  wounded, 
of  them  very  severely,  3  of  which  died  of  their 


THE  AMERICAN  NAVY.  199 

wounds  after  being  removed,  and  9  drowned. — Our  losi 
was  trifling,  in  comparison;  John  Place  killed,  Samuel 
Coupon,  and  Jos.  Dalrymple,  slightly  wounded  ;  our 
rigging  and  sails  were  very  much  cut;  one  shot  through 
the  foremast,  and  bowsprit  slightly  injured.  Our  hull 
received  little  or  no  damage. 

At  the  time  I  brought  the  Peacock  to  action,  the  Espei- 
gle,  (the  brig  mentioned  as  being  at  anchor,)  mounting  16 
321b.  carronades,  and  2  long  nines,  lay  about  6  miles  in 
shore  of  me,  and  could  plainly  see  the  whole  of  the  ac 
tion. — Apprehensive  she  would  beat  out  to  the  assis 
tance  of  her  consort,  such  exertions  were  used  by  mj 
officers  and  crew,  in  repairing  damages,  &c.  that  bj 
nine  o'clock  our  boats  were  stowed,  a  new  set  of  sails 
bent,  and  the  ship  completely  ready  for  action.  At  2, 
P.  M.  got  under  way,  and  stood  by  the  wind  to  the 
northward  and  westward,  under  easy  sail.  On  muster 
ing  next  morning,  found  we  had  277  souls  on  board,  (in 
cluding  the  crew  of  the  American  brig  Hunter,  of  Port 
land,  taken  a  few  days  before,  by  the  Peacock,)  and, 
as  we  had  been  on  two-thirds  allowance  of  provisions, 
for  some  time,  and  had  but  3,400  gallons  of  water  OB 
board,  1  reduced  the  allowance  to  3  pints  a  man,  and  de 
termined  to  make  the  best  of  my  way  to  the  U.  Stales. 

The  Peacock  was  deservedly  styled  one  of  the  finest 
vessels  of  her  class  iu  the  British  navy.  I  should  judge 
her  to  be  about  the  tonnage  of  the  Hornet;  her  beam  was 
greater,  by  5  inches,  but  her  extreme  length  not  so 
«;reat,  by  4  feet.  She  mounted  sixteen  24  pr.  carron- 
ades,  (2  long  nines,  one  12  pr.  carronade  on  her  top-gal 
lant  forecastle,  as  a  shifting  gun,  and  one  4,  or  6  poun 
der,  and  2  swivels,  mounted  aft.  I  find,  by  her  quarter 
bill,  that  her  crew  consisted  of  134  men,  four  of  whom 
were  absent  in  a  prize. 

The  cool  and  determined  conduct  of  my  officers  and 
crew,  during  the  action,  and  their  almost  unexampled 
exertions  afterwards,  entitle  them  to  my  wannest  ae- 


200  RISE  AND  PROGRESS  OF 

knowledgments  ;  and  I   beg;  leave,  most  earnestly,  to 
recommend  them  to  the  notice  of  government. 

By  the  indisposition  of  Lieut.  Stewart,  I  was  depri 
ved  of  th«  services  of  an  excellent  officer  ;  had  he  been 
able  to  stand  on  the  deck,  I  am  confident  his  exertions 
would  not  have  been  surpassed  by  any  one  onboard.  I 
should  be  doing  injustice  to  the  merits  of  Lieut.  Shu- 
brick,  and  acting  Lieutenants  Conner  and  Newton,  were 
I  not  to  recommend  them  particularly  to  your  notice. 
Lieut.  Shubrick  was  in  the  actions  with  the  Guerriere 
and  Java — Captain  Hull,  and  Commodore ,Bainbridge 
can  bear  testimony  as  to  his  coolness  and  good  conduct  on 
both  occasions. 

With  the  greatest  respect,  T  am,  &c. 

JAS.  LAWRENCE. 

Hon.W.  JONES, 

Sec^y  of  Navy. 

In  April,  Capt.  Lawrence  returned  to  port,  and  was 
promoted  to  the  command  of  the  Chesapeake,  then  ly 
ing  at  Boston,  and  ready  for  sea. 

The  British  frigate  Shannon,  (Capt.  Broke),  with 
the  Tenedos  in  company,  appeared  off  the  harbor  of 
Boston,  and  invited  the  Chesapeake  to  the  contest. 
Captain  Lawrence  accepted  the  invitation,  promptly, 
arid  put  to  sea — June  1st.  The  Shannon  manoeuvered 
for  the  combat,  and  the  ships  were  soon  in  action,  and 
along  side.  A  short,  but  desperate  conflict  ensued  : 
Captain  Lawrence  was  wounded  early  in  the  action, 
but  kept  his  station  until  the  fatal  ball  pierced  his  body, 
and  he  was  carried  below.  He  then  exclaimed,  "  Dont 
give  up  the  skipf 

Captain  Broke  seized  the  favorable  moment;  boarded 
the  Chesapeake  and  carried  her,  after  all  her  officers 
were  either  killed  or  wounded;  and  seventy  of  her 
crew  were  killed  and  eighty  wounded.  The  Shannon 
had  twenty-three  killed  and  fifty-six  wounded. 


THE  AMERICAN  NAVY.  201 

The  Shannon  sailed  for  Halifax,  with  her  prize, 
where  Captain  Lawrence  and  Lieutenant  Ludlow, 
were  honorably  interred,  with  the  honors  of  war. 


THE  CHESAPEAKE  TAKEN. 

Copy  of  a  Letter  from  Lieut.  Budd  to  the  Secretary  of  the  Navy, 

Halifax,  June  15,  1813. 
SIR, 

The  unfortunate  death  of  Capt.  James  Lawrence, 
and  Lieut.  Augustus  C.  Ludlow,  has  rendered  it  my 
duty  to  inform  you  of  the  capture  of  the  late  United 
States  frigate  Chesapeake. 

On  Tuesday,  June  1st,  at  8,  A.  M.  we  unmoored 
ship,  and  at  meridian  got  under  way  from  President 
Roads,  with  a  light  wind  from  the  southward  and  west 
ward,  and  proceeded  on  a  cruise.  A  ship  was  then  in 
sight,  in  the  offing,  which  had  the  appearance  of  a  ship 
of  war  ;  and  which,  from  information  received  from  pi 
lots,  we  believed  to  be  the  British  frigate  Shannon.  We 
made  sail  in  chase,  and  cleared  ship  for  action.  At  half 
past  4,  P.  M.  she  hove  too,  with  her  head  to  the  south 
ward  and  eastward — At  5,  P.  M.  took  in  the  royal  and 
top-gallant  sails  ;  and  at  half  past  5,  hauled  the  courses 
up.  About  1 5  minutes  before  6,  the  action  commenced, 
within  pistol  shot.  The  first  broadside  did  great  execu 
tion  on  both  sides  ;  damaged  our  rigging  ;  killed  among 
others,  Mr.  White,  the  sailing-master  ;  and  wounded 
Capt.  Lawrence.  In  about  12  minutes,  after  the  com 
mencement  of  the  action,  we  fell  on  board  the  enemy  ; 
and  immediately  after,  one  of  our  armed  chests,  on  the 
quarter-deck,  was  blown  up,  by  a  hand  grenade,  thrown 
from  the  enemy's  ship.  In  a  few  minutes,  one  of  the 
Captain's  aids  came  on  the  gun-deck,  to  inform  me  that 
the  boarders  we  re  called.  I  immediately  called  the 
boarders  away,  and  proceeded  to  the  spar-deck,  where  I 


202  RISE  AND  PROGRESS  OF 

found  that  the  enemy  had  succeeded  in  boarding  us,  and 
had  gained  possession  of  our  quarter-deck.  I  immedi 
ately  gave  orders  to  haul  on  board  the  fore-tack,  for  the 
purpose  of  shooting  the  ship  clear  of  the  other,  and 
then  made  an  attempt  to  regain  the  quarter-deck,  but 
was  wounded,  and  thrown  down  on  the  girt-deck.  I 
again  made  an  effort  to  collect  the  boarders ;  but,  in 
the  mean  time,  the  enemy  had  gained  complete  posses 
sion  of  the  ship.  On  my  being  carried  down  to  the  cock 
pit,  1  there  found  Capt.  Lawrence,  and  Lieut.  Ludlow, 
mortally  wounded  ;  the  former  had  been  carried  be 
low,  previously  to  the  ship's  being  boarded — the  latter 
was  wounded  in  attempting  to  repel  the  boarders. 
.Among  those  who  fell,  early  in  the  action,  was  Mr.  Ed. 
J.  Ballard,  4th  Lieutenant,  and  Lieut.  James  Broome, 
of  Marines.  I  herein  enclose,  to  you,  a  return  of  the 
killed  and  wounded  ;  by  which  you  will  perceive,  that 
every  officer,  upon  whom  the  charge  of  the  ship  would 
devolve,  was  either  killed  or  wounded,  previously  to 
her  capture.  The  enemy  report  the  loss  of  Mr.  Watt, 
their  1st  Lieutenant,  the  Purser,  the  Captain's  Clerk, 
and  23  seamen,  killed  ;  Captain  Broke,  a  Midshipman, 
and  56  seamen  wounded. 

The  Shannon  had,  in  addition  to  her  full  comple 
ment,  an  officer,  and  1C  men,  belonging  to  the  Belle 
Poule,  and  a  part  of  the  crew  belonging  to  the  Tene. 
dos. 

I  have  the  honor,  &c. 

GEO.  BUDD. 

Hon.  W.  Jones,  Sec'y  Navy. 

In  this  action,  we  had  49  killed — 97  wounded — total 
J46, 


THE  AMERICAN  NAVT.  503 

CHAPTER  XVJII. 

Naval  Operations,  Continued. 

On  the  morning  of  April  29th,  1814,  the  United 
States  sloop  of  war  Peacock,  fell  in  with  his  Britannic 
majesty's  brig  Epervier,  of  eighteen  guns,  and  128  men, 
captain  Wales,  and  captured  her,  after  an  action  of  for 
ty-five  minutes,  and  took  from  her  120,000  dollars. 
The  Epervier  lost  in  the  action,  eight  killed  and  fifteen 
wounded.  The  Peacock  had  none  killed  and  only  two 
wounded. 

When  the  Epervier  struck,  she  had  five  feet  water  in 
her  hold,  forty-five  shot  in  her  hull,  and  her  spars  and 
rigging  very  much  wounded,  and  shot  away  ;  but  the 
damages  of  the  Peacock  were  repaired,  and  she  wag 
ready  for  action  again,  in  fifteen  minutes. 

PEACOCK  AND  E  'ERV1ER. 

Extract   of  a   letter   from  Capt.  Charles  Morris,  commanding  (he  U, 
S.  Ship  Adams  at  Savaunah,  to  the  Secretary  of  tlte  Navy. 

Savannah,  May  2,  1814. 
SIR, 

i  have  the  honor  to  inform  you,  that  a  fine  brig  of  13 
guns,  prize  to  the  United  States  sloop  Peacock,  anchor 
ed  here  this  morning.  She  is  much  shattered  in  her 
hull,  and  damaged  in  her  rigging,  having  fought  45  min 
utes — her  loss  8  killed  and  15  wounded.  The  Pea 
cock,  2  slightly  wounded.  She  was  chased  on  the  30tU 
April,  by  a  frigate,  but  escaped  by  running  close  in  the 
shore  in  the  night.  Lieut.  Nicholson,  prize  master,  will 
forward  you  a  more  detailed  account  of  this  handsome 
ailuir. — I  am  &c. 

C.  MORRIS. 
Hon.  W.  Jones  &c. 


204  RI3E  AND  PROGRESS  OF 

Letter  from  Lieut.  Nicholson  to  the  Secretary  of  the  Navy. 
Savannah,  May  1,  1814. 

SIR  —  1  have  the  honour  to  inform  you  of  my  arrival 
here,  in  late  his  Britannic  majesty's  brig  Epervier,  of 
eighteen  32  pound  carronades,  Capt.  Wales,  captured 
by  the  sloop  Peacock,  on  Friday  morning  the  29th,  off 
Cape  Carnaveral,  after  an  action  of  45  minutes,  in 
which  time  she  was  much  cut  up  in  hull,  spars,  rigging, 
and  sails,  with  upwards  of  five  feet  of  water  in  her  hold, 
having  the  weathergague. 

She  has  lost  8  killed  and  15  wounded;  among  the 
latter  her  first  Lieutenant,  who  has  lost  his  arm.  I  am 
happy  to  say,  the  Peacock  received  no  material  injury 
—  her  fore-yard  and  two  men  slightly  wounded  —  she  re 
ceived  not  one  shot  in  her  hull.  The  brig  had  upwards 
of  100,000  dollars  in  specie  on  board. 
I  have  the  honor  to  be,  &c. 

JOHN  B.  NICHOLSON. 

Hon.  WILLIAM  JONES, 

of  the  Navy. 


Copies  of  letters    from   Captain  Warrington  to  the  Secretary  of  the 

Navy. 

U.  S.  Sloop  Peacock,  at  sea,  lat.  27°  47',  long.   80°  9  , 

29  April,   1014. 

I  have  the  honour  to  inform  you  that  we  have  this 
morning  captured,  after  an  action  of  45  minutes,  his 
majesty's  brig  Epervier,  rating  and  mounting  18  thirty- 
two  pound  carronades  with  1^8  men,  of  whom  8  were 
killed  and  15  wounded  (according  to  the  best  informa 
tion  we  could  obtain  :)  among  the  latter  is  her  1st  lieu 
tenant,  who  has  lost  an  arm,  and  received  a  severe  splin 
ter  wound  on  the  hip.  Not  a  man  in  the  Peacock  was- 
killed  and  only  two  wounded  ;  neither  dangerously  so. 


THE  AMERICAN  NAVY.  2Q* 

The  fate  of  the  Epervier  would  have  been  determined 
in  much  less  time,  but  for  the  circumstance  of  our  fore- 
yard  being  totally  disabled  by  two  round  shot  in  the 
starboard  quarter  from  her  first  broadside,  which  entire 
ly  deprived  us  of  the  use  of  our  fore  and  fore-top  sail, 
and  compelled  us  to  keep  the  ship  large  throughout  the 
remainder  of  the  action.  This,  with  a  few  top-mast 
and  top-gallant  back-stays  cut  away,  and  a  few  shot 
through  our  sails,  is  the  only  injury  the  Peacock  has  sus 
tained.  Not  a  round  shot  touched  her  hull  ;  our  masts 
and  spars  are  as  sound  as  ever.  When  the  enemy 
struck,  he  had  five  feet  water  in  his  hold,  his  main 
top-mast  was  over  the  side,  his  main-boom  shot  away, 
his  fore-mast  cut  nearly  in  two  and  tottering,  his  fore  rig 
ging  and  stays  shot  away,  his  bowsprit  badly  wounded, 
and  45  shot  holes  in  his  hull,  20  of  which  were  within 
a  foot  of  his  water  line.  By  great  exertions  we  got  her 
in  sailing  order  just  as  dark  came  on. 

In  fifteen  minutes  after  the  enemy  struck,  the  Pea 
cock  was  ready  for  another  action,  in  every  respect  but 
her  fore-yard,  which  was  sent  down,  fished,  and  had 
the  fore-sail  set  again  in  45  minutes — such  were  the 
spirit  and  activity  of  our  gallant  crew.  The  Epervier 
had  under  convoy  an  English  hermaphrodite  brig,  a 
Russian  and  a  Spanish  ship,  all  which  hauled  their 
wind  and  stood  to  the  E.  N.  E.  I  had  determined  up 
on  pursuing  the  former,  but  found  it  would  not  answer 
to  leave  our  prize  in  her  then  crippled  state,  and  the 
more  particularly  so,  as  we  found  she  had  $120,000  in 
specie,  which  we  soon  transferred  to  this  sloop.  Every 
officer,  seaman,  and  marine  did  his  duty,  which  is  the 
highest  compliment  I  can  pay  them. 
I  am  respectfully, 

L.  WARRINGTON. 

P.  S.  From  Lieut.  Nicholson's  report,  who  wa* 
counting  up  the  Eprevier's  crew,  there  were  1 1  killed 
and  fifteen  wounded*  L.  W, 

II 


2Qo  R15E  AND  PROGRESS  OF 

Savannah,  May,  4,  1814. 

SIR, 

I  have  great  satisfaction  in  being  able  to  report  to  you 
tbe  arrival  of  the  Peacock  at  this  anchorage  today,  and 
also,  the  arrival  of  the  Epervier  on  Monday  last,  I 
have  now  to  detail  to  you  the  reason  of  our  separation. 
We  made  sail  as  mentioned  in  my  last,  on  the  evening 
of  the  29th  of  April.  The  next  afternoon  we  were,  at 
half  past  5,  abreast  the  centre  of  Amelia  Island,  with 
the  vessels  in  sight  over  the  land,  when  two  large  ships, 
winch  had  been  seen  some  time  previous  a  little  to  the 
northward  of  the  island,  were  clearly  ascertained  to  be 
frigates,  in  chase  of  us.  In  this  situation,  at  the  sugges 
tion  of  Lieutenant  Nicholson,  I  took  out  all  but  himself 
and  sixteen  officers  and  men,  and  stood  to  the  southward 
along  shore,  on  a  wind  leaving  him  to  make  the  best  of 
his  way  for  St.  Mary's  ;  which  place  I  felt  confident  he 
would  reach,  as  the  weather  frigate  was  in  chase  of  the 
Peacock,  and  the  other  was  too  far  to  the  leeward  to 
fetch  him  ;  at  9  we  lost  sight  of  the  chaser,  but  contin 
ued  standing  all  night  to  the  southward,  in  hopes  to  get 
entirely  clear  of  him.  At  day  light  we  shortened  sail 
and  stood  to  the  northward,  and  again  made  the  frigate 
ahead,  who  gave  chase  the  second  time,  which  he  con 
tinued  until  2  P.  M.  when  finding  he  could  not  come 
up,  he  desisted.  In  the  evening  we  resumed  our  course, 
and  saw  nothing  until  day  light  on  Tuesday  morning, 
when  a  large  ship  supposed  to  be  the  same,  was  again 
seen  in  chase  of  u^,  and  again  run  out  of  sight. 

This  morning,  at  half  past  3,  we  made  Tybee  lightr 
and  at  half  past  8,  anchored  near  the  United  States  ship 
Adams.  As  the  enemy  is  hovering  close  to  St.  Mary's, 
I  concluded  he  had  received  information  of,  and  was 
waiting  to  intercept  us.  Acordingly  we  steered  for  this 
place,  where  we  received  intelligence  of  the  Epervier'a 
arrival,  after  frightening  off  a  launch  which  was  sent 
from  the  enemy's  ship  to  leeward  on  Saturday  evening 
to  cut  him  off  from  the  land. 


THE  AMERICAN  NAVY.  207 

From  the  18th  of  April  to  the  24th  we  saw  but  one 
neutral,  and  two  privateers,  both  which  were  chased 
without  overhauling,  although  we  ran  one  among  the 
shoals  of  Cape  Carnaveral,  and  followed  him  into  four 
fathoms  of  water.  We  have  been  to  the  southward,  as 
far  as  the  great  Isaacs,  and  have  cruised  from  them  to 
Maranilla  reef,  and  along  the  Florida  shore  to  Cape 
Carnaveral.  Not  a  single  running  vessel  has  been 
through  the  Gulf  in  all  this  time.  The  fleet  sails  from 
Jamaica  under  convoy  of  a  74,  two  frigates,  and  two 
sloops,  from  the  1st  to  the  10th  of  May.  They  are  so 
much  afraid  of  our  cruisers,  that  several  ships  in  the 
Havanna  ready  for  sea,  which  intended  to  run  it  (as  it  is 
called)  were  forced  to  wait  the  arrival  of  the  convoy 
from  Jamaica. 

The  Enervicrand  her  convey  were  i«c  first  English 
Vessels  we  had  seen. 

We  shall  proceed  in  the  execution  of  your  further  in 
structions,  as  soon  as  we  can  get  a  fore-yard,  provisions, 
and  water. 

The  Epervier  is  one  of  their  finest  brigs,  and  is  well 
calculated  for  our  service.  She  sails  extremely  fast, 
and  will  require  but  little  to  send  her  to  sea,  as  her  ar 
mament  and  stores  are  complete. 

I  enclose  you  a  list  of  the  brig's  crew,  as  accurately 
as  we  can  get  it. 

!  am  respectfully, 

L.  WARRINGTON. 

U.  S.  Sloop  Peacock,  Savannah,  5  May,   1814. 
SIR, 

As  my  letter  of  yesterday  was  too  late  for  the  mail,  I 
address  you  again  in  the  performance  of  a  duty  which 
is  pleasing  and  gratifying  to  me  in  a  high  degree,  and  is 
but  doing  justice  to  the  merits  of  the  deserving  officers 
under  my  command,  of  whom  I  have  hitherto  refrained 
from  speaking,  as  I  considered  it  most  correct  to  make 
it  the  subject  of  a  particular  communication. 


208  RISE  AND  PROGRESS  OF 

To  the  unwearied  and  indefatigable  attention  of  Lt 
Nicholson  (1st),  in  organizing  and  training  the  crew* 
the  success  of  this  action  is  in  a  great  measure  to  be  at 
tributed.  I  have  confided  greatly  in  him,  and  have 
never  found  my  confidence  misplaced.  For  judgment, 
coolness,  and  decision  in  times  of  difficulty,  few  can 
surpass  him.  This  is  the  second  action  in  which  he 
has  been  engaged  this  war,  and  in  both  he  has  been  suc 
cessful.  His  greatest  pride  is  to  earn  a  commander's 
commission  by  fighting  for,  instead  of  heiring  it 

From  Lieut.  Henly  (2d),  and  Lieut  Voorhees,  (ac 
ting  3d,  who  has  also  been  twice  successfully  engaged,) 
I  received  every  assistance  that  zeal,  ardour,  and  expe 
rience  could  afford.  The  fire  from  their  two  divisions 
was  terrible,  and  directed  with  the  greatest  precision 
and  coolness. 

In  Sailing  Master  Percival,  whose  great  wish  and  pride 
it  is  to  obtain  a  lieutenant's  commission,  and  whose  un 
remitting  and  constant  attention  to  duty,  added  to  his 
professional  knowledge,  entitles  him  to  it  in  my  opinion, 
I  found  an  able,  as  well  as  willing  assistant.  He  han 
dled  the  ship  as  if  he  had  been  working  her  into  a 
roadstead.  Mr.  David  Cole,  acting  carpenter,  I  have 
also  found  such  an  able  and  valuable  man  in  his  occu 
pation,  that  I  must  request  in  the  most  earnest  manner 
that  he  may  receive  a  warrant  ;  for  I  feel  confident, 
that  to  his  uncommon  exertion,  we  in  a  great  measure 
owe  the  getting  our  prize  into  port  From  11  A.  M.  un 
til  6  P.  M.  he  was  over  her  side,  stopping  shot  holes, 
on  a  grating,  and,  when  the  ordinary  resources  failed  of 
success,  his  skill  soon  supplied  him  with  efiicient  ones. 
Mr.  Philip  Myres,  master's  mate,  has  also  conducted 
himself  in  such  a  manner  as  to  warrant  my  recommen 
dation  of  him  as  a  master.  He  is  a  seaman,  navigator, 
and  officer  ;  his  family  in  New  York  is  respected,  and 
he  would  prove  an  acquisition  to  the  service.  My  clerk, 
Mr.  John  S.  Townsend,  is  anxious  to  obtain  through 
my  means  a  midshipman's  warrant,  and  has  taken  pain* 


THE  AMERICAN  NAVY.  209 

to  qualify  himself  for  it  by  volunteering,  and  constantly 
performing  a  midshipman's  duty — indeed,  I  have  but 
little  use  for  a  clerk,  and  he  is  as  great  a  proficient  as 
any  of  the  young  midshipmen,  the  whole  of  whom  be 
haved  in  a  manner  that  was  pleasing  to  me,  and  must  be 
gratifying  to  you,  as  it  gives  an  earnest  of  what  they 
will  make  in  time — three  only  have  been  to  sea  before, 
and  one  only  in  a  man  of  war,  yet  were  they  as  much  at 
home,  and  as  much  disposed  to  exert  themselves  as  any 
officer  in  the  ship.  Lieut.  Nicholson  speaks  in  high 
terms  of  the  conduct  of  Messrs.  Greeves  and  Rodgers, 
midshipmen,  who  were  in  the  prize  with  him. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be, 

Sir,  very  respectfully,  your  obe't  servH. 

L.  WARRINGTON. 

Hon.   WM.  JONES,  &c. 

I 

P 

Unofficial  Particulars. 

The  Epervier,  being  to  windward,  gallantly  met  the 
Peacock  ;  but  the  battle  would  have  ended  very  soon, 
had  not  Capt.  Warrington  hailed,  to  ascertain  whether 
she  had  struck,  (her  colours  being  shot  away,)  by  the 
time  spent  in  which  he  lost  a  commanding  position  ;  for 
the  action  appeared  to  have  ceased  for  the  moment, 
and  the  brave  Warririgton  would  not  shed  blood  \vau- 
tonlyvXThe  force  of  the  vessels  in  guns  and  Weight  of 
metal  is  the  same,  each  rating  13,  and  carrying  22  ; 
but  in  men  we  had  some  superiority,  the  British  having 
only  123,  and  we  about  160;  but  the  disparity  of  the 
execution  done  excites  anew  our  wonder.  The  hull  of 
the  Peacock  was  not  struck  by  a  round  shot,  whereas 
on  the  larboard  side  of  the  Epervier  between  50  and  60 
took  effect,  many  of  them  within  a  foot  of  the  water 
line,  and  she  was  otherwise  dreadfully  mauled,  and  had 
one  of  her  guns  dismounted,  with  6  feet  water  in  her 
hold.  She  is  one  of  the  finest  vessels  of  her  class  in  the 
18* 


210  RISE  AND  PROGRESS  OF 

British  navy,  built  in  1812.  It  is  said,  that  "when  she 
left  London,  bets  were  three  to  one,  that  she  would 
take  an  American  sloop  of  war  or  small  frigate." 

The  Peacock's  length  is  118  feet — breadth  of  beam 
32  feet— depth  of  hold  14  feet— tonnage  509— she 
mounts  20  guns — had  160  men — killed  none,  wounded 
2,  shots  in  her  hull,  none.  The  Epervier's  length — 107 
feet — breadth  of  beam  32  feet— depth  of  hold  14  feet — 
tonnage  477.  She  mounted  18  guns,  same  calibre  with 
those  of  the  Peacock — had  128  men — killed  1 1,  wound 
ed  15,  shots  in  her  hull  45  f 

The  Epervier  was  sold  at  Savannah  and  purchased 
by  government  for  fifty  five  thousand  dollars* 


CHAPTER  IX. 
WASP  AND  REINDEER. 

On  the  30th,  and  31st  of  August,  1814,  the  Wasp  fell 
in  with  his  Britannic  majesty's  brigs  Lettice,  Henry 
Cockburn,  master,  and  Bon  Accord,  Adam  Duro,  mas 
ter,  and  after  short  actions  captured  both.  The  Wasp 
on  the  next  day  succeeded  in  cutting  out  of  the  convoy, 
the  British  brig  Mary,  John  D.  Allen,  master,  laden 
with  brass,  and  iron  ordnance,  and  military  store*  :  and 
after  removing  tbe  prisoners,  burnt  her  at  sea. 


THE  AMERICAN  NAVY.  21 1 


CAPTURE  OF  THE  REINDEER. 

Copy  •(  a  letter  from  Capt.    Johnson  Blakeley  to  the  Secretary   ef 
the  Navy. 

U.  S.  Sloop  Wasp,  L'Orient,  8th  July,  J814. 
SIR, 

On  Tuesday  the  28th  ult.  being  then  in  lat.  48,  36 
north,  and  Ion.  11,  15  west,  fell  in  with,  engaged,  and 
after  an  action  of  nineteen  minutes,  captured  his  B.  M. 
sloop  of  war,  the  Reindeer,  William  Manners,  Esq. 
commander.  Annexed  are  the  minutes  of  our  pro 
ceedings  on  that  day,  prior  to,  and  during  the  continu 
ance  of  the  action. 

Where  all  did  their  duty,  and  each  appeared  anxious 
to  excel,  it  is  very  difficult  to  discriminate.  It  is,  how 
ever,  only  rendering  them  their  merited  due,  when  it  is 
declared  of  Lieutenants  Rcily  and  Bury,  1st  and  3d  of 
this  vessel,  and  whose  names  will  be  found  among  those 
of  the  conquerors  of  theGuerriere  and  Java,  and  Mr. 
Tillinghast,  2d  Lieutenant,  who  was  greatly  instrumen 
tal  in  the  capture  of  the  Boxer  ;  that  their  conduct  and 
courage  on  this  occasion,  fulfilled  the  highest  expecta 
tion,  and  gratified  every  wish.  Sailing-master  Carr  is 
also  entitled  to  great  credit,  for  the  zeal  and  ability  with 
which  he  discharged  his  various  duties. 

The  cool  and  patient  conduct  of  every  officer  a»d 
man,  while  expoied  to  the  fire  of  the  shifting  gun  of  the 
enemy,  and  without  an  opportunity  of  returning  it, 
could  only  be  equalled  by  the  animation  and  ardor  ex 
hibited,  when  actually  engaged,  or  by  the  promptitude 
and  firmness  with  which  every  attempt  of  the  enemy, 
to  board,  was  met,  and  successfully  repelled.  Sucb 
conduct  may  be  leen,  but  cannot  well  be  described. 

The  Reindeer  mounted  sixteen  24  pr.  carronade«r  5 
long  6  or  9  prs.  and  a  shifting  12  pr.  carronade,  with  a 
complement  (on  board)  of  118  men.  Her  crew  w«rt 
•tid  to  be  the  pride  of  Plymouth. 


212  RISE  AND  PROGRESS  OF 

Our  loss,  in  men,  has  been  severe,  owing,  in  part,  to- 
the  proximity  of  the  two  vessels,  and  the  extreme 
smoothness  of  the  sea — but  chiefly  in  repelling  board 
ers  ;  that  of  the  enemy,  however,  is  infinitely  more  so, 
as  will  be  seen  by  the  list  of  killed  and  wounded,  on 
both  sides. — Six  round  shot  struck  our  hull,  and  many 
grape,  which  did  not  penetrate  far.  The  foremast  re 
ceived  a  24  pr.  shot,  which  passed  through  its  centre, 
and  our  rigging  and  sails  were  a  good  deal  injured. 
The  Reindeer  was  literally  cut  to  pieces,  in  a  line  with 
her  rr>rts  ;  her  upper  works,  boats,  spare  spars,  were 
one  cou ^  .  A  breeze  springing  up,  next  af 

ternoon,  he.        :-mast  went  by  the  board. 

Having  received  all  the  prisoners  on  board,  which, 
from  the  number  of  wounded,  occupied  much  time,  to 
gether  with  their  baggage,  the  Reindeer  was,  on  the 
evening  of  the  29th,  set  on  fire,  and  in  a  few  hours 
blew  up. 

I  have  the  honor,  &c. 

J.  BLAKELY. 

Hon.  W.  JONES, 

Sec'')/  Navy. 

MINUTES  OF  THE  ACT10X, 

Bttwutn  the  U.  S.  S.  Wasp,  and  his  B.  M.  S.  Reindeer, 
on  the  28th  June,  1814. 

At  4,  A.  M.  light  breezes,  and  cloudy  ;  at  a  quarter 
after  4,  discovered  two  sails,  two  points  before  the  lee 
beam — kept  away  in  chase  ;  shortly  after,  discovered 
one  sail,  on  the  weather  beam  ;  altered  the  course,  and 
hauled  by,  in  chase  of  the  sail  to  windward  ; — at  3,  sail 
to  windward  bore  E.  N.  E.  wind  very  light ;  at  10,  the 
stranger  sail,  bearing  E.  by  N.  hoisted  an  English  en 
sign  and  pendant,  and  displayed^  signal  at  the  main, 
(blue  and  yellow  diagonally  ;)— at  half  past  12,  the  en 
emy  showed  a  blue  and  white  flag,  diagonally,  at  th« 


THE  AMERICAN  NAVT.  51 1 

fore,  and  fired  a  gun — 1  b.  15  minutes,  called  all  handi 
to  quarters,  and  prepared  for  action — 1  h.  22  minutesf 
believing  we  could  weather  the  enemy,  tacked  ship, 
aud  stood  for  him — 1  h.  50  minutes,  the  enemy  tacked 
ship,  and  stood  from  us — 1  h.  58  minutes,  hoisted  our 
colors,  and  fired  a  gun  to  windward,  which  was  answer 
ed  by  the  enemy,  with  another  to  windward — 2  h.  20 
minutes,  the  enemy  standing  from  us — set  the  royals — 

2  h.  25  minutes,  set  the  flying  jib — 2  h.  29  minutes,  set 
the  upper   stay-sails.     Finding   the  enemy  did  not  get 
sufficiently  on  the  beam,  to  enable  us  to  bring  ourguni 
to  bear,  put  the  helm  a-lee,  and,  at  26   minutes  after  3, 
commenced  the  action,  with  the  after  carronade,  on  the 
starboard  side,  and  fired  in  succession — 3  h.  40  minutes, 
the  enemy  having  his  larboard  bow  in  contact  with  our 
larboard  quarter,  endeavored  to  board  us  ;  but  was  re 
pulsed  In   every  attempt — at  3  h.  44  minutes,  order* 
were  given  to  board  in  turn,  which  were  promptly  ex 
ecuted,  when  all  resistance  immediately  ceased,  and,  at 

3  h.  45  minutes,  the  enemy  hauled  down  his  flag. 

J.  BLAKELY. 

Return  of  killed  and  wounded,  on  board  the  U.  S.  S. 
Wasp,  in  the  above  action. — Killed,  5 — wounded,  21 — - 
total,  26. 

Return  of  killed  and  wounded,  on  board  H.  B.  M.  S. 
Reindeer,  in  the  above  action. — Killed,  25 — wounded, 
42— total,  67. 

J.  BLAKELY. 

On  or  about  the  1st  of  September,  1814,  the  Wasp 
fell  in  with  his  Britannic  majesty's  sloop  of  war  Avon, 
supposed  eighteen  guns,  Captain  Arbuthnot,  and  after- 
a  desperate  action  of  nearly  two  hours,  the  Avon  struck 
her  colors,  a  complete  wreck,  and  soon  after  went 
down.  Her  crew  were  saved  by  the  British  brig  Cai« 
tiliau,  which  was  also  in  company  with  the  Avon. 


2 1 4  RISE  AND  PROGRESS  OF 

THE    WASP'S  CRUSE. 

Copy  of  a  letter  from  Johnson  Blakely,  Esq.  Commander  of  the  U.  S. 
Sloop  of  War  Wasp,  to  the  Secretary  of  the  Navy,  dated 

U.  S.  Sloop  Wasp,  at  Sea,  \-lth  Sept.    1314. 
SIR, 

After  a  protracted,  and  tedious  stay  at  L'Orient,  I 
had,  at  last,  the  pleasure  of  leaving  that  place,  on  Sat 
urday  the  27th  August.  On  the  30th,  captured  the 
British  hrig  Lettice — and  31st  August,  the  British  hrig 
Bon  Accord.  On  the  morning  of  the  1st  September, 
discovered  a  convoy  of  10  sail  to  leeward,  in  charge  of 
the  Armada  74,  and  a  hornb  ship— stood  for  them,  and 
^succeeded  in  catting  out  the  British  brig  Mary,  laden 
with  brass  cannon,  taken  from  the  Spaniards  ;  iron  can 
non,  and  military  stores;  from  Gibraltar  to  England — 
Removed  the  prisoners,  set  her  on  (ire,  and  endeavdrecl 
to  capture  another  of  the  convoy,  but  was  chased  ofFby 
the  Armada.  On  the  evening  of  the  same  day,  at  half 
pastG,  while  going  free,  discovered  4  vessels,  nearly  at 
the  same  time  ;  two  on  the  starboard,  and  two  on  the 
larboard  bow — hauled  for  the  one  most  on  the  star 
board  bow,  being  the  farthest  to  windward — at  7,  the 
chase  (a  brig)  commenced  making  signals,  with  flags, 
which  could  not  be  distinguished  for  want  of  light  ;  and 
soon  after,  made  various  ones,  with  lanterns,  rockets, 
and  guns — at  26  minutes  after  9,  having  the  chase  un 
der  our  lee  bow,  the  12  pr.  carronade  was  directed  to  be 
fired  into  him,  which  he  returned  :  ran  under  his  lee,  to 
prevent  his  escaping,  and,  at  29  minutes  past  9,  com 
menced  the  action — at  10  o'clock,  believing  the  enemy 
to  be  silenced,  orders  were  given  to  cease  firing,  when  I 
hailed,  and  asked  if  he  had  surrendered  ;  no  answer  be 
ing  given  to  this,  and  his  fire  having  recommenced,  it 
was  again  returned — at  12  minutes  after,  10,  the  enemy 
having  suffered  greatly,  and  having  made  no  return  to 
our  two  last  broadsides,  I  hailed  him  a  second  time,  to 


THE  AMERICAN  NAVY.  <215 

know  if  he  had  surrendered,  when   he  answered  in  the 
affirmative.     The  guns   were  then  ordered  to  be  se 
cured,  and   the  boats  lowered   down,   to    take   posses 
sion — in  the  act  of  lowering  the  boat,  a  second  brig  was 
discovered,  a  little  distance  astern,  and  standing  for  us — 
sent  the  crew  to  their  quartess,   prepared  every  thing 
for   another   action,  and   awaited  his  coming  up  ; — at 
36  minutes  after  10,   discovered    two  more  sail  stan 
ding  for  us  :  I  now    felt   myself  compelled   to    forego 
the  satisfaction  of  destroying  the  prize — our  braces  hav 
ing  been  cut  away,  we  kept  off  the   wind    until    others 
could  be  rove,  and  with  the  expectation  of  drawing  the 
second  brig  from  his  companions  ;  but,  in  this  last,  we 
were  disappointed:  the  second  brig   continued   to  ap 
proach  us,  until  she  came  close  to  our  stern,   when  she 
hauled  by  the  wind,  fired  her  broadside,  (which  cut  our 
rigging  and  sails  considerably,  and  shot  away  our  lower 
main  cross-trees,)  and   retraced   her  steps  to  join    her 
consorts.     When  we  were  necessitated  to  abandon  the 
prize,  she  appeared,  in  every   respect,  a   total  wreck  ; 
he  continued,  some  time,  firing  guns  of   distress,  until, 
probably,  delivered  by  the  two   last  vessels  who  made 
their  appearance.     The  second  brig  could  have  engaged 
us,  if  he  had  thought  proper,  as   he  neared  us  fast ;  but 
contented  himself  with  firing  a  broadside,  and   immedi 
ately  returned  to  his  companions. 

It  is  with  real  satisfaction  I  have  again  the  pleasure  of 
bearing  testimony  to  the  merits  of  Lieutenants  Reily, 
Tillinghast,  Baury,  and  sailing-master  Carr  ;  and  to  the 
good  conduct  of  every  officer  and  man  on  board  the 
Wasp.  Their  divisions  and  departments  were  atten 
ded  and  supplied,  with  the  utmost  regularity  and  abun 
dance  ;  which,  with  the  good  order  maintained,  togeth 
er  with  the  vivacity  and  precision  of  their  fire,  reflects 
on  them  the  greatest  credit.  Our  loss  is  two  killed,  and 
one  slightly  wounded  with  a  wad.  The  hull  received 
four  round  shot,  and  the  foremast  many  grape  shot ; 
our  rigging  and  sails  suffered  a  great  deal — every  dam- 


RISE  AND  PROGRESS  OF 

age  has  been  repaired,  the  day  after,  with  the  exception 
ef  our  sails. 

Of  the  vessel  with  whom  we  are  engaged,  nothing 
positive  can  be  said,  with  regard  to  her  name  or  force.* 
While  hailing  him,  previous  to  his  being  fired  into,  it 
was  blowing  fresh,  (10  knots,)  and  the  name  was  not 
distinctly  heard.  Of  her  force,  the  4  shot  which  struck 
us  are  all  32lbs.  in  weight,  being  one  and  three  quarter 
Ibs.  heavier  than  any  belonging  to  this  vessel ;  from  thii 
circumstance,  the  number  of  men  in  her  tops,  her  gene 
ral  appearance,  and  great  length,  she  is  believed  to  be 
o«e  of  the  largest  brigs  in  the  British  navy. 
I  have  the  honor,  &c. 

J.  BLAKELY. 

Hon.  Sec'y  of  Navy. 

These  captures  were  the  result  of  desperate  conflicts. 
Many  of  these  prizes  were  stripped  of  every  spar  ;  and 
several  so  cut  to  pieces  as  to  become  unmanageable,  and 
were  burnt  at  sea.  Others  sunk  in  the  action,  or  im- 
waediately  after. 


CONSTITUTION,    CYANE  AND  LEVANT. 

Letter  from  Lieut.  Hoffman  to  the  Secretary  of  the  Navy. 

Hit  Britannic  Majesty's  late  uhip  Cyant. 

New   York,  April  10,   1815. 
SIR, 

I  have  the  honour  to  inform  you,  that  on  the  evening 
afthe  28th  of  February  last,  while  cruising  off  Madeira, 
the  United  States  frigate  Constitution  fell  in  with  hii 
Britannic  Majesty's  ships  Cyane  and  Levant,  which  sh« 
captured  after  an  action  of  40  minutes. 

*lt  is  known  by  the  British  prints,  that   the  brig,  engaged   above, 
w<*  the  AVON,  of  18  gun»—  and  that  ih«  sunk  soon  afUr  the 
10ft  U«r. 


THE  AMERICAN  NAVY.  217 

The  Cyane  is  a  frigate  built  ship,  mounting  34  car 
riage  guns,  viz.  twenty-two  321b.  carronades  on  the 
main  deck,  eight  18lb.  carronades  on  the  quarter  deck, 
two  18lb.  carronades  and  two  long  9s  on  the  forecastle, 
and  from  the  best  information  I  could  obtain,  carrying 
i  complement  of  175  men,  commanded  by  Gordon  Fal- 
.  on  Esq.  ;  the  Levant  mounting  twenty-one  carnage 
.,uns,  viz.  eighteen  24lb.  carronades,  two  long  9s  and  a 
Shifting  12  pounder  on  the  top-gallant  forecastle,  with 
i  complement  of  150  men,  commanded  by  the  Hon. 
Jeorge  Douglass — both  ships  suffered  severely  in  their 
pars,  rigging  and  sails.  The  Constitution  received  but 
rifling  injury,  having  only  4  men  killed  and  10  wounded. 
As  to  the  loss  of  the  enemy,  I  cannot  possibly  ascertain, 
)ut  should  presume  it  was  very  severe. 

On  the  9th  of  March  the  Constitution,  with  her  two 
>rizes  in  company,  anchored  off  the  Isle  of  May,  (one 
if  the  Cape  de  Verd  Islands.)  On  the  10th  at  5  A.  M. 
j;ot  under  way  and  made  sail  for  St  Jago,  where  we  an- 
;hored  at  45  minutes  past  10.  On  the  12th,  at  1-2  past 
rieridian,  discovered  three  sail  in  the  offing — at  10  min- 
ites  past  1,  made  them  to  be  frigates — at  which  time 
Ihe  Constitution  made  signal  to  get  under  way.  At  20 
ninutes  past  1,  cutourcnble  and  made  sail  to  thesouth- 
vard  and  eastward,  close  on  a  wind.  At  30  minutes 
>ast  1,  the  forts  on  shore  commenced  firing  on  us.  At 
!,  the  Constitution  made  signal  to  tack,  which  I  did  to 
he  northward  and  westward.  At  5  minutes  past  2,  the 
ternmost  frigate  commenced  firing  on  us,  and  hoisted 
English  colours,  distance, about  two  miles.  At  20  rnin- 
ites  past  2,  lost  sight  of  the  Constitution  and  Levant, 
rho  were  standing  on  a  wind  to  the  southward  and  east- 
vard  ;  the  frigates  in  chase.  At  35  minutes  past  2,  lost 
ight  of  the  enemy.  At  3,  heard  a  heavy  cannonading, 
vhich  continued  at  intervals  until  half  past  4.  At  sun 
lown  shaped  my  course  for  the  United  States.  For  the 
urther  particulars  of  our  cruise,  I  beg  to  refer  you  to 
19 


218  RISE  AND  PROGRESS  OF 

Capt.  Stewart's  official  accountr  on  his  arrival  in  the 
United  States. 

I  cannot  conclude  my  letter  without  particularly  re 
commending  to  your  notice  Midshipman  Joseph  Cross, 
for  whose  unremitted  attention  and  exertions  1  feel  my 
self  greatly  indebted  ;  and  he  is  a  young  man  who,  I 
think,  would  do  honour  to  a  commission. 

As  to  Midshipmen  James  Delany.  and  James  F.  Cur 
tis,  and  the  few  men  I  have  under  my  command,  words 
would  be  insufficient  to  express  my  gratitude  towards 
them. 

Very  respectfully,  I  have  the  honour 

to  be,  your  obedient  servant, 
B.  V.  HOFFMAN, 


Copy  of  a  letter  from  Lieutenant  Ballard  to  the  Secretary  of  the 
Navy. 

Baltimore,  May  2,   1815. 
SIR, 

I  have  the  honour  to  make  known  to  you  my  arrival 
at  this  place  with  a  part  of  the  officers  and  crew  of  the 
T#.  S.  frigate  Constitution,  captured  in  a  prize,  the 
Levant,  in  the  harbour  of  Porto-praya,  in  the  island  of 
St.  Jago,  by  a  squadron  of  his  Britannic  Majesty's  ships, 
consisting  of  the  Leander,  Sir  George  Collier  ;  the 
Newcastle,  Lord  George  Stuart;  and  the  Acasta,  Capt 
Kerr.  For  the  particulars  of  my  recapture,  I  beg  leave 
to  refer  you  to  the  enclosed  extract  from  the  log-book 
of  the  Levant. 

Having  caused  the  destruction  of  my  own  paperg,  as 
well  as  those  of  the  officers  with  me,  1  can  only  say  to 
you  relative  to  the  Constitution,  that  after  leaving  the 
port  of  Boston,  she  successively  cruised  off  the  islands 
of  Bermuda  and  Madeira,  in  the  Bay  of  Biscay,  and  for 
iome  time  in  sight  of  the  Rock  of  Lisbon,  without  hav 
ing  met  with  but  two  of  the  enemy's  vessels,  one  of 


THE  AMERICAN  NAVY. 

which  was  destroyed,  the  other  ordered  in  ;  and  that, 
on  the  evening  of  the  20th  February,  the  island  of  Ma 
deira  bearing  W.  S.  W.  distant  70  leagues,  fell  in  with, 
engaged,  and  after  a  close  action  of  40  minutes,  cap 
tured,  his  Britannic  Majesty's  ships  Cyane,  Capt  Gor 
don  Falcon,  and  Levant,  Hon.  Capt.  Douglass. 

It  would,  sir,  be  deemed  presumption  in  me  to  at 
tempt  to  give  you  particular  details  respecting  the  na 
ture  of  this  action.  I  shall,  therefore,  only  remark  gen 
erally,  that  every  officer,  seaman  and  marine  on  board 
did  their  duty.  I  cannot  however,  deny  myself  the 
pleasure,  that  this  opportunity  affords  me,  of  noticing 
the  brilliant  management  of  Capt.  Charles  Stewart, 
through  whose  unerring  judgement  every  attempt  of  an 
ingenious  enemy  to  gain  a  raking  position  was  frustra 
ted. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be, 

very  respectfully,  sir,  your  obe't  eerv't, 

HENRY  E.  BALLARD. 

The  Cyane  mounted  on  her  main  deck  twenty-two 
32lb.  carronades — on  her  upper  decks,  ten  18lb.  carron- 
ades,  two  long  9s,  and  one  12lb.  carronade  on  a  travel 
ling  carriage,  with  a  complement  of  1 75  men.  The  Le 
vant  mounted  eighteen  32lb.  carronades,  two  long  9s, 
and  one  121b.  carronade,  with  1  38  men  on  board.  The 
Constitution  had  4  killed  and  10  wounded — the  Cyane 
7  killed  and  17  wounded — the  Levant  9  killed  and  17 
wounded. 


Copy  of  a  letter  from   Captain   Stewart  to   the   Secretary  of  the 

Navy. 

U.  S.  Frigate  Constitution,  May  — ,  1815. 
SIR, 

On  the  20th  of  February  last,  the  island  of  Madeira 
bearing  about  W.  S.  W.  distant  60  leagues,  we  fell  in 
with  his  Britannic  Majesty's  tvyo  ships  of  war,  the  Cy- 


220  RISE  ANTD  PROGRESS  OF 

ane  and  Levant,  and  brought  them  to  action  about  C 
o'clock  in  the  evening,  both  of  which,  after  a  spirited 
engagement  of  40  minutes,  surrendered  to  the  ship  un 
der  my  command. 

Considering  the  advantages  derived  by  the  enemy, 
from  a  divided  and  more  active  force,  as  also  their  su 
periority  in  the  weight  and  number  of  guns,  1  deem  the 
speedy  and  decisive  result  of  this  action  the  strongest 
assurance  which  can  be  given  to  the  government,  that 
all  under  my  command  did  their  duty,  and  gallantly  sup 
ported  the  reputation  of  American  seaman. 

Enclosed  you  will  receive  the  minutes  of  the  action, 
and  a  list  of  the  killed  and  wounded  on  board  this  ship  ; 
also  enclosed  you  will  receive  for  your  information  a 
statement  of  the  actual  force  of  the  enemy,  and  the  num 
ber  killed  and  wounded,  on  board  their  ships,  as  near  as 
could  be  ascertained. 

I  have  the  honour  to  remain,  very  repectfully, 

sir, your  most  obedient  servant. 
CHARLES  STEWART. 


Statement  of  the  actual  force  of  nis  Britannic  Majesty's 
ships  Levant,  Capt.  the  Hon.  Georee  Douglass  com 
mander — and  Cyane,  Capt.  Gordon  Falcon  comman- 
mander  ;  with  the  number  killed  and  wounded  on 
board  each  ship,  on  the  20th  Feb.  1815,  as  near  as 
could  be  ascertained,  while  engaged  with  the  United 
States  frigate  Constitution  : — 

Q 

Levant. — Eighteen  32  pounders,  carronades  ;  one  12 
pounder,  do.  ;  two  9  pounders,  long  guns.  Total  21 
guns,  156  officers,  seaman,  and  marines.  Paisoners, 
133  officers,  seamen  and  marines.  Killed,  23  ;  wound 
ed,  16.  Total  killed  and  wounded,  39. 

Cyane — Twenty-two  32  pounders,  carronades  ;  ten 
18  pounders,  do.  ;  two  12  pounders,  long  guns.  Total 
34  guns  (besides  2  brass  swivels,)  180  officers,  seamen. 


THE  AMERICAN  NAVY.  221 

and  marines.  Prisoners,  168  officers,  seamen,  and  ma 
rines.  Killed,  27  ;  wounded,  26.  Total  killed  and 
wounded,  53. 

Minutes  of  the  action  between  the  United  States  frig 
ate  Constitution  and  his  Majesty's  ships  Cyane  and 
Levant,  on  the  20th  February  1815. 
Commences   with  light  breezes  from  the  east,  and 
cloudy  weather.     At  f  P.    M.   discovered  a  sail  two 
points  on  the  larboard  bow — hauled  up,  and  made  sail  in 
chase.     At  1-4  past   1  made  the   sail  to  be  a  ship  ;  at 
3-4  past  1,  discovered  another  sail  ahead  ;  made  them 
out,  at  2,  to  be  both  ships,  standing  close  hauled,  with 
their  starboard  tacks  on  board  ;  at  4,  the  weathermost 
ship  made  signals,  and  bore  up  her  consort,  then  about 
ten  mile,   to  leeward ;  we  bore  up  after  her,  and  set 
lower  top-mast,  top-gallant  and  royal  studding  sails,  in 
chase  ;  at  half  past  4,  carried  away  our  main  royal-mast; 
took  in  the  sails,  and  got  another  prepared.     A  t5,  com 
menced  firing  on  the  chase  from  our  two  larboard  bow 
guns  ;  our  shot  falling  short,  ceased  firing  :  at  1-2  past  5r 
finding  it  impossible  to  prevent  their  junction,    cleared 
ship  for  action,  then  about  4  miles  from  the  two  ships  :  at 
40  minutes  past  5,  they  passed  within  hail  of  each  other, 
and  hauled  by  the  wind  on  the  starboard  tack,  hauled  up 
their  courses,  and  prepared  to  reeeiveus :  at  45  minutes 
past  5,  they  made  all  sail  close  hauled  by    the  wind,  in 
hopes  of  getting  to  windward  of  us  :  at  55  minutes  past 
5,  finding  themselves  disappointed  in  their  object.  &  we 
were  closing  with  them  fast,  they  shortened  sail,  &  form 
ed  on  a  line  of  wind,  about  half  a  cable's  length  of  each 
other :  at  6,  having  them  under  command  of  our  bat 
tery,  hoisted  our  colours,  which  was  answered  by  both 
ihips   hoisting  English  ensigns :  at  5  minutes  past  6, 
ranged  up  on  the  starboard  side  of  the  sternmost  ship, 
about  300  yards  distant,  and  commenced  the  action  by 
broadsides,  both  ships  returning  our  fire  with  great  spiri 
for  about  15  minutes:  then  the  fire  of  the  enemy  bet 
19* 


&ISE  AND  PROGRESS  OP 

ginning  to  slacken,  and  the  great  column  of  smoke  col 
lected  under  our  lee,  induced  us  to  cease  our  fire  to  as 
certain  their  positions  and  conditions  :  in  about  three 
minutes,  the  smoke  clearing  awny,  we  found  ourselves 
abreast  of  the  headmost  ship,  the  stearnmost  ship  luffed 
up  for  our  larboard  quarter  ;  we  poured  a  broadside  in 
to  the  headmost  ship,  and  then  braced  aback  our  main 
and  mizen  top-mast  ship,  and  then  braced  aback  our 
main  and  mizen  topsails,  ad  backedastern  under  cover  of 
the  smoke,  abreast  the  sternmost  ship,  when  the  action 
was  continued  with  spirit  and  considerable  effect,  until 
35  minutes  pest  6,  when  the  enemy's  fire  again  slacken 
ed,  and  we  discovered  the  headmost  bearing  up  ;filled  our 
topsails,  shot  ahead,  and  gave  her  two  stern  rakes  ;  we 
then  discovered  the  sternmost  ship  wearing  also  ;  wore- 
ship  immediately  after  her,  and  gave  her  a  stern  rake ;  she 
luffed  to  on  our  starboard  bows,  and  gave  us  her  lar 
board  broadside  :  we  ranged  up  on  her  larboard  quar 
ter,  within  hail,  and  were  about  to  give  her  our  star 
board  braodside,  when  she  struck  her  colours,  fired  a 
lee  gun,  and  yielded.  At  50  minutes  past  6,  took  pos 
session  of  his  majesty's  ship  Cyane,  Capt.  Gordon  Fal 
con,  mounting  34  guns.  At  8,  filled  away  after  her 
consort,  which  was  still  in  sight  to  leeward.  At  1-2  past 
8,  found  her  standing  towards  us,  with  her  starboard 
tacks  close  hauled,  with  top-gallant  sails  set,  and  col 
ours  flying.  At  5  minutes  past  8,  ranged  close  along 
side  to  windward  of  her,  on  opposite  tacks,  and  ex 
changed  broadsides — wore  immediately  under  jher 
stern,  and  raked  her  with  a  broadside  :  she  then  crow 
ded  all  sail,  endeavored  to  escape  by  running — hauled 
on  board  our  tacks,  set  spanker,  and  flying  jib  in  chase. 
At  1-2  past  9,  commenced  firing  on  her  from  our  star- 
beard  bow  chaser ;  gave  her  several  shot,  which  cut 
her  spars  and  rigging  considerably.  At  10,  finding  she 
could  not  escape,  fired  a  gun,  struck  her  colours,  and 
yielded.  We  immediately  took  possession  of  his  ma 
jesty  '•  ship  Levant,  Hon.  Capt.  George  Douglasi. 


THE  AMERICAN  NAVY.  525 

mounting  21  guns.  At  1  A.  M.  the  damages  of  cnr  rig 
ging  were  repaired,  sails  shifted,  and  the  ship  in  fighting 
condition. 

Minutes  of  the  chase  of  the  U.  S.  frigate  Constitution, 
by  an  English  squadron  of  three  ships,  from  out  the/ 
harbour  of  Port  Praya,  Island  of  St.  Jago: — 

Commences  with  fresh  breezes  and  thick  foggy  weath 
er.      At  5   minutes  past  12,  discovered  a   large  ship 
through  the  fog,  standing  in  for  Port  Praya.     At  8  min 
utes  past  12,  discovered  two  other  ships  astern  of  her, 
also  standing  in  for  the  port.     From  their  general  ap 
pearance  supposed   them    to  be  one  of  the  enemy's 
squadrons,  and  from  the  little  respect  hitherto  paid  by 
them  to  neutral  waters,  I  deemed  it  most  prudent  to  put 
to  sea.     The  signal  was  made  to  the  Cyane  and  Levant 
to  get  under  way.     At  1 2  minutes  past  1 2,  with  our  top 
sail  set,  we  cut  our  cable  and  got   under  way,  (whea 
the  Portuguese  opened  a  fire  on  us  from  several  of  their 
batteries  on  shore)  the   prize  ships  following  our  mo- 
•  tions,  and  stood  out  of  the  harbour  of  Port  Praya,  close 
under  East  Point,  passing  the  enemy's   squadron  about 
gun-shot  to  windward  of  them  ;  crossed  our  top  gallant 
yards,  and  set  foresail,  mainsail,  spanker,  flying  jib  and 
top-gallant  sails.     The  enemy  seeing  us  under   way= 
tacked  ship  and  made  all  sail  in  chase  of  us.     As  far  a* 
we  could  judge  of  their  rates,  from  the  thickness  of  the 
weather,  supposed  them  two  ships  of  the  line  and  on«~ 
frigate.     At   1-2  past   12,  cutaway  the  boats  towing 
astern — first  Gutter  and  gig.     At  1  P.  M.  found  our  sail 
ing  about  equal  with  the  ships  on  our  lee  quarter,  but, 
the  frigate  luffing  up,  gaining  our  wake,  and  rather  drop 
ping  astern  of  us  ;  finding  the   Cyane  dropping  astera 
uid  to   leeward,  and  the  frigate  gaining  on  her  fast,  I 
found  it  impossible  to  save  her  if  she  continued  on  th« 
course,  without  having  the  Constitution  brought  to  »€- 


224  RISE  AND  PROGRESS  OF 

tion  by  their  whole  force.  I  made  the  signal  at  10  min 
utes  past  1,  to  her  to  tack  ship,  which  was  complied 
with.  This  manoeuvre,  I  conceived,  would  detach 
one  of  the  enemy's  ships  in  pursuit  of  her,  while  at  the 
same  time,  from  her  position,  she  would  be  enabled  to 
reach  the  anchorage  at  Port  Praya,  before  the  detached 
ship  could  come  up  with  her  ;  but  if  they  did  not  tack 
after  her,  it  would  afford  her  an  opportunity  to  double 
their  rear,  and  make  her  escape  before  the  wind.  They 
all  continued  in  full  chase  of  the  Levant  and  this  ship  ; 
the  ship  in  our  lee  quarter  firing  broadsides,  by  divis 
ions — her  shot  falling  short  of  us.  At  3,  our  having 
dropped  the  Levant  considerably,  her  situation  became 
(from  the  position  of  the  enemy's  frigate)  similar  to  the 
Cyane.  It  became  necessary  to  separate  also'from  the 
Levant,  or  risk  this 'ship  being  brought  to  action  to  cov 
er  her.  I  made  the  signal  at  5  minutes  past  3  for  her  to 
tack,  which  was  complied  with.  At  12  minutes  past  3, 
the  whole  of  the  enemy's  squadron  tacked  in  pursuit  of 
the  Levant,  and  gave  up  the  pursuit  of  the  ship.  This 
sacrifice  of  the  Levant  became  necessary  for  the  pres 
ervation  of  the  Constitution.  Sailing  Master  Hixon, 
Midshipman  Varnum,  one  boatswain's  mate,  and  12 
men,  were  absent  on  duty  in  the  5th  cutter,  to  bring  the 
cartel  brig  under  our  stern.- 


ANECDOTES, 

The  Constitution  is  so  deservedly  a  favorite  with  the 
public,  that  a  few  anecdotes  of  her  last  cruise  will  not 
fee  uninteresting.  The  modest,  plain  letter  of  Capt. 
Stewart,  with  the  accompanying  extracts  from  the  log 
book,  has  given  the  clearest  official  accounts  of  the  ac 
tion.  The  masterly  manceuvering  of  his  ship  so  as  t* 
prevent  either  of  the  enemy's  ships  from  raking  him, 
and  the  final  capture  of  them  both,  in  such  a  neat  and 
workmanlike  manner,  the  prompt  deoisioa..«at  Port 


THE  AMERICAN  NAVY.  225 

Praya,  when  in  7  minutes  after  the  Britsh  squadron  were 
first  discovered,  the  whole  of  the  ships  had  cut  their  ca 
bles  and  were  at  sea  ;  the  judgment  in  the  time  of  giv 
ing  orders  to  the  prizes  to  tack,  which  secured  the 
Cyane  first;  and  afterwards  the  Constitution,  speak  for 
themselves,  and  are  fully  appreciated  by  the  public.  It 
should  not  be  forgotten,  that  this  same  Cyane  engaged  a 
French  44  gun  frigate  last  year,  and  kept  her  at  bay,  till 
a  ship  of  the  line  came  up  and  captured  her;  and  a 
few  years  since  in  the  bay  of  Naples,  that  she  engaged 
a  frigate,  a  brig  of  44  guns,  and  5  gun  boats,  and  beat 
them  off,  for  which  Capt.  Benton,who  commanded  her* 
was  knighted  ;  yet,  with  the  known  skill  of  Britsh  offi 
cers,  this  same  vessel,  and  a  sloop  of  war  of  the  largest 
class,  with  full  crews  of  picked  men,  were  captured  by 
an  American  frigate,  after  a  short  action. 

But  it  is  not  only  to  skilful  officers  that  praise  is  due  ; 
to  be  successful,  they  must  be  aided  by  brave  and  ex 
cellent  seamen.  The  crew  of  the  Constitution  were 
all  yankee  seamen,  as  docile  and  obedient  to  the  ordin 
ary  discipline  of  the  service,  as  they  were  iutriped  in 
action.  It  wonld  be  easy  to  mention  a  number  of  an 
ecdotes  of  the  heroic  character  of  our  common  sailors. 
There  are  two  in  this  action  that  are  particularly  strik 
ing.  A  man  by  the  name  of  Tobias  Fernell,  of  Ports 
mouth,  had  his  arm  shattered  by  a  ball  ;  after  the  sur 
geon  had  amputated  it,  when  he  had  taken  up  the  arte 
ries,  and  before  the  dressing  was  completed,  the  cheers 
on  deck  were  heard  for  the  surrender  of  the  Cyane  ; 
the  brave  fellow  twitched  the  stump  from  the  surgeon, 
and  waved  it,  joining  the  cheers  !  He  is  since  dead. 
Another,  John  Lancey,  of  Cape  Ann,  was  brought  be 
low,  one  thigh  shattered  to  pieces,  and  the  other  se^ 
rerely  wounded  ;  the  surgeon  said  to  him,  "  my  brave 
fellow,  you  are  mortally  wounded  ;"  il  yes,  sir,  f  know- 
it,  I  only  want  to  hear,  that  the  other  ship  is  struck." 
Soon  after  the  cheers  were  given  for  the  surrender  of 
the  Levant  5  he  raised  his  head,  echoed  the  cheer,  and 


£2G  RISE  AND  PROGRESS  OF 

expired  a  minute  after.  The  wounds  were  generallr 
severe  ,  and  much  credit  is  due  to  the  skill  and  human 
ity  of  Mr.  Kearney,  the  surgeon,  for  saving  so  many  of 
the  wounded. 

The  Cyane  was  first  discovered  at  the  distance  of 
three  or  four  leagues;  the  Levant,  Capt.  Douglass,  the 
senior,  being  to  the  leeward.  The  first  signal  from 
the  Cyane  was,  that  it  was  an  American  sloop  of  war  ; 
afterwards,  when  they  came  within  four  miles  of  the 
Constitution,  and  the  course  was  so  altered,  that  she 
•Discovered  her  broadside,  she  made  a  signal  that  it  was 
a  heavy  American  frigate,  superior  to  one  of  them,  but 
inferior  to  both.  The  signal  from  the  Levant  to  her 
consort  was  to  join  company.  The  Constitution  was 
not  able  to  prevent  their  junction.  The  action  was  in 
vited  on  the  part  of  the  Constitution,  by  firing  a  signal 
shot  across  the  bow  of  the  Cyane.  The  two  ships 
cheered,  and  fired  their  broadsides  ;  after  receiving  both 
she  returned  it,  and  such  was  the  eagerness  of  the  men 
to  fire,  that  when  the  word  was  given,  they  discharged 
the  whole  broadside,  at  the  same  instant.  In  commen 
cing  the  action,  there  was  perfect  silence  on  board  the 
Constitution — the  cheers  were  returned  when  the  ships 
surrendered.  The  weight  of  shot,  fired  by  the  British 
ships,  was  superior  by  about  90  pounds,  taking  their 
shot  at  their  nominal  weight,  though  it  was  found,  on 
weighing  some  of  the  English  shot,  that  came  on  board, 
that  they  weighed  full  821bs.  while  the  American  of  the 
same  rate  weighed  only  29lb.;  the  action  was  so  close, 
that  their  carronades  had  their  full  power.  One  of 
their  shot  came  through  the  side  of  the  ship,  killed  one 
and  wounded  four  men,  and  lodged  in  the  galley;  an 
other  killed  two  men  in  the  waist,  went  through  a  boat 
in  which  two  tigers  were-chained,  and  lodged  in  the  head 
of  a  spar  in  the  chains.  In  the  action  of  the  Guerriere 
the  Constitution  was  hulled  three  times ;  -in  that  of  the 
Java,  .four  times  ;  and  in  this  engagement,  thirteen 
times.  The  British  ships  were  fully  officered,  and 


THE  AMERICAN  NAVY.  597 

manned  with  picked  men, and  fired  better  than  they  have 
usually  done  in  their  engagements  with  our  ships. 

During  the  chase  by  Sir  George  Collier's  squadron, 
when  the  Cyane  was  ordered  to  tack,  all  the  three  ships 
kept  after  the  Constitution  and  Levant.  After  suffi 
cient  time  had  been  allowed  to  the  Cyane  to  make  her 
escape,  as  none  of  the  enemy  pursued  her,  orders  were 
given  to  the  Levant  to  tack.  The  Leander,  Sir  George 
Collier,  who  was  the  most  astern,  then  made  signal  to 
the  Aeasta  to  tack,  and  the  Newcastle,  Lord  George 
Stewart,  to  continue  the  chase.  The  Aeasta  sailed  fas 
ter  than  the  Constitution,  and  was  gaining  on  her;  the 
Newcastle  about  the  same  rate  of  sailing,  and  the  latter 
fired  several  broadsides,  but  the  shot  fell  short  from  one 
to  two  hundred  yards.  After  the  other  ships  tacked, 
the  Newcastle  made  a  signal  that  her  fore-top-sail  yard 
was  sprung,  and  tacked  also.  The  British  officers  on 
board,  who  had  expressed  the  most  perfect  confidence 
that  the  Constitution  would  be  taken  in  an  hour,  felt  the 
greatest  vexation  and  disappointment,  which  they  ex 
pressed  in  very  emphatic  terms.  The  Levant  ran  into 
port  so  as  to  run  her  jib-boom  over  the  battery  ;  the 
Aeasta  and  Newcastle  came  in,  and,  though  her  colours 
were  hauled  down,  fired  at  her  a  number  of  times. 
They  were  obliged  to  hoist  and  lower  their  colours 
twice;  yet  not  a  gun  was  fired  from  the  Levant.  Lieut. 
Ballard,  who  commanded,  had  ordered  his  men  to  lay 
<m  the  decks,  by  which  they  all  escaped  injury,  though 
considerable  damage  was  done  to  the  town.  It  seemed 
unnecessary  for  two  heavy  frigates  to  fire  into  one  sloop 
of  war,  who  neither  did  nor  could  make  any  resistance. 
After  the  escape  of  the  Constitution  from  this  squadron, 
till  she  arrived  at  the  Brazils,  the  greatest  watchfulness 
was  necessary.  With  a  very  diminished  crew,  she  had 
on  board  240  prisoners,  and  the  number  of  British  offi 
cers  was  more  than  double  her  own. 

It  is  known,  that  sailors  are  apt  to  be  superstitious. 
JLieut.  Hoffman  had  a  fine  terrier,  who  was  a  great  fa* 


223  RISE  AND  PROGRESS  OF 

vourite  on  board  the  ship  :  when  he  was  transferred  to 
the  Cyane,  he  took  the  dog  with  him.  At  Port  Praya. 
/  the  dog,  being  much  attached  to  Old  Ironsides,  jumped 
over  to  swim  to  her.  A  boat  was  lowered  down  from 
the  Constitution  to  try  to  save  him  ;  but  the  poor  anim 
al  was  drowned.  The  sailors  then  said,  that  they 
should  have  a  fight,  or  a  run  in  twenty-four  hours.  The 
next  morning  the  British  squadron  hove  in  sight.  This 
was  not  likely  to  lessen  their  belief  of  omens. 

At  Maranham  all  the  principal  people  asked  leave 
to  visit  the  Constitution.  They  had  heard  much  of  her, 
and  had  been  told  by  the  English,  that  she  was  a  ship  of 
the  line.  They  were  requested  to  examine  and  count 
her  guns,  which  they  found  to  be  52,  as  she  carrisd  two 
less  than  her  former  cruise.  The  American  charac 
ter  was  most  highly  respected  at  Porto-Rico,  where 
a  boat  was  sent  in.  The  governor  made  the  most  earn 
est  entreaties,  that  the  ship  would  come  into  port,  that 
he  might  see  her,  and  offered  every  kind  of  refresh 
ment,  and  expressed  the  highest  regard  for  our  coun 
try.  (How  much  has  our  little  navy  done  to  elevate  the  ^ 
character  of  the  nation  !  ^ 

in  a  hurricane,  when  tne  ship  made  much  water,  a 
petty  officer  called  on  Lieut.  Shubrick,  who  was  the 
officer  on  the  deck,  and  said,  "Sir,  the  ship  is  sinking1' 
— "  well,  sir,"  said  this  cool  and  gallant  officer.  "  as  ev 
ery  thing  in  our  power  is  made  tight,  we  must  patiently 
submit  to  the  fate  of  sailors,  and  all  of  us  sink  or  swim 
together." 

When  the  officer  from  the  British  squadron,  which  re 
took  the  Levant,  went  on  board  of  her  he  advanced 
briskly  towards  the  quarter  deck,  and  observed,  that  he 
presumed  he  had  the  proud  satisfaction  of  receiving  the 
sword  of  Capt.  B.  commander  of  the  American  sloop  of 
war  the  wasp.  No,  sir,  was  the  reply  ;  but  if  there  it 
any  pride"  in  the  case,  you  have  the  honour  of  receir- 
ksg  the  sword  of  Capt.  Ballard,  1st  of  the  Constitution 


THE   AMERICAN  NAVY. 

frigate,  and  now  prize  officer  of  his  Britannic  Majesty's 
ship  the  Levant. 

According  to  the  British  mode  of  calculation,  the 
Constitution  ought  to  have  been  captured.  The  Crane 
and  Levant  couid  discharge  from  all  their  cannon  at 
once,  1514lbs.  of  shot,  the  Constitution  1424.  Dif 
ference,  90lbs. 

The  Constitution  has  captured,  in  her  three  victories, 
154  gun  carriages  ;  made  upwards  of  900  prisoners; 
killed  and  wounded  298  of  the  enemy  ;  and  the  value 
of  property  captured,  including  the  stores,  provisions, 
&c.  cannot  be  estimated  at  less  than  1 ,500,000. 

The  first  escape  of  the  Constution  in  1812,  was 
from  a  British  squadron,  consisting  of  the  African  64, 
Shannon  38,  Guerriere  38,  Belvidere  38,  and  j£olus  32. 
The  chase  continued  51  hours.  Her  last  escape  was 
from  the  Leander  50,  Newcastle  50,  and  Acasta  40. 

In  1804,the  Constitution  made  several  daring  attacks 
on  the  batteries  before  the  town  of  Tripoli,  mounting 
115  pieces  of  heavy  cannon.  She  repeatedly,  and  for 
hours,  engaged  their  forts,  within  musket  shot,  and  her 
movements  and  destructive  fire  most  essentially  assisted 
in  wresting  from  captivity  300  of  our  countrymen,  a? 
the  Bashaw  was  compelled  to  submit  to  terms  of 
peace. 


HORNET  AND  PENGUIN. 

Copy  of  a  letter  from  Capt.  Bicldle  to  Com.  Deeatar. 
/ 

United  Slates  Sloop  Hornet,  off  Tristan  d"*  Acwna, 

March  25,  1815. 
SIR, 

I  hare  the  honor  to  inform  you,  that  on  the  morning 
of  the  23d  inst.  at  half  past  10,  when  about  to  anchor 
off  the  north  end  of  the  island  of  Tristan  <T  Acuna,  a 
20 


230  RISE  AND  PROGRESS  OF 


. 


sail  was  seen  to  the  southward  and  eastward,  steering 
to  the  westward,  the  wind  fresh  from  S.  S.  W.  In  a 
few  minutes,  she  had  passed  on  to  the  westward  so  far 
that  we  could  not  see  her  for  the  land.  I  immediately 
made  sail  for  the  westward,  and  shortly  after  getting  in 
sight  of  her  again  perceived  her  to  bear  up  before  the 
wind.  I  hove  to  for  him  to  come  down  to  us.  When  she 
had  approached  near,  I  filled  the  main-top-sail,  and  con 
tinued  to  yaw  the  ship,  while  she  continued  to  come  down, 
wearing  occasionally  to  prevent  her  passing  under  our 
stern.  At  40  minutes  past  1  P.  M.  being  within  nearly 
musket  shot  distance,  she  hauled  her  wind  on  the  star 
board  tack,  hoisted  English  colours,  and  fired  a  gun. 
We  immediately  luffed  to,  hoisted  our  ensign,  and  gave 
the  enemy  a  broadside.  The  action  being  thus  com 
menced,  a  quick  and  well  directed  tire  was  kept  up  from 
this  ship,  the  enemy  gradually  drifting  nearer  to  us,  when 
at  55  minutes  past  l,he  bore  up  apparently  to  run  us 
on  board.  As  soon  as  I  perceived  he  would  certainly 
fall  on  board,  I  called  the  boarders  so  as  to  be  ready  to 
repel  any  attempt  to  board  us.  At  the  instant  every 
officer  and  man  repaired  to  the  quarter-deck,  when  the 
two  vessels  were  coming  in  contact,  and  eagerly  pres 
sed  me  to  permit  them  to  board  the  enemy ;  but  this  I 
would  not  permit,  as  it  was  evident  from  the  com 
mencement  of  the  action,  that  our  fire  was  greatly  su 
perior  both  in  quickness  and  in  effect.  The  enemy's 
bowsprit  came  in  between  our  main  and  mizzen  rigging, 
on  our  starboard  side,  affording  him  an  opportunity  to 
board  us,  if  such  was  his  design ;  but  no  attempt  was 
made.  There  was  a  considerable  swell  on,  and  as  the 
sea  lifted  us  ahead,  the  enemy's  bowsprit  carried  away 
our  mizzen  shrouds,  stern  davits,  and  spanker  boom, 
and  he  hung  upon  our  larboard  quarter.  At  this  mo 
ment  an  officer,  who  was  afterwards  recognized  to  be 
Mr.  M'Donald,  the  1st  lieutenant  and  the  then  com 
manding  officer,  called  out  that  they  had  surrendered. 
I  directed  the  marines  musketry-men  to  cease  firing,  and 


THE  AMERICAN   NAVY.  231 

while  on  the  taflril,  asking  if  they  had  surrendered,  I  re 
ceived  a  wound  in  the  neck.  The  enemy  just  then  got 
clear  of  us,  and  his  foremast  and  bowsprit  being  both 
gone,  and  perceiving  us  wearing  to  give  him  a  fresh 
broadside,  he  again  called  out,  that  he  had  surrendered. 
It  was  with  difficulty  I  could  restrain  my  crew  from  fir 
ing  into  him  again,  as  he  had  certainly  fired  into  us  af 
ter  having  surrendered.  From  the  firing  of  the  first 
gun,  to  the  last  time  the  enemy  cried  out  he  had  surren 
dered,  was  exactly  twenty-two  minutes  by  the  watch. 
She  proved  to  be  his  Britannic  Majesty's  brig  Penguin, 
mounting  sixteen  321b.  carronades,  two  long  12s,  a 
121b.  carronade  on  the  topgallant  fore  castle,  with  a 
swivel  on  the  capstern  in  the  tops.  She  had  a  spare 
port  forward,  so  as  to  fight  both  her  long  guns  of  a  side. 
She  sailed  from  England  in  September  last.  She  was 
shorter  upon  deck  than  this  ship  by  two  feet,  but  she 
had  a  greater  length  of  keel,  greater  breadth  of  beam, 
thicker  sides,  and  higher  bulwarks  than  this  ship,  and 
was  in  all  respects  a  remarkably  fine  vessel  of  her  class. 
The  enemy  acknowledged  a  complement  of  132;  12 
of  them  supernumerary  marines  from  the  Medway  74, 
received  on  board  in  consequence  of  their  being  order 
ed  to  cruise  for  the  American  privateer  Young  Wasp. 
They  acknowledge  also  a  loss  of  14  killed  and  28 
wounded;  but  Mr.  Mayo,  who  was  in  charge  of  the 
prize,  assures  me,  that  the  number  of  killed  was  cer 
tainly  greater.  Among  the  killed  areCapt.  Dickenson, 
who  fell  at  the  close  of  the  action,  and  the  boatswain  ; 
among  the  wounded  are  the  2d  lieutenant,  purser,  and 
two  midshipmen,  Each  of  the  midshipmen  lost  a  leg. 
We  received  on  board,  in  all,  1 18  prisoners,  4  of  whom 
have  since  died  of  their  wounds.  Having  removed  the 
prisoners,  and  taken  on  board  such  provisions  and 
stores  as  would  be  useful  to  us,  I  scuttled  the  Penguin, 
this  morning,  before  day  light,  and  she  went  down.  As 
she  was  completely  riddled  by  our  shot,  her  foremast 
and  bowsprit  both  gone,  and  her  mainmast  so  crippled 


232  RISE  AND  PROGRESS  OF 

as  to  be  incapable  of  being  secured,  it  seemed  inadvis 
able,  at  this  distance  from  home,  to  attempt  sending  her 
to  the  United  States. 

This  ship  did  not  receive  a  single  round  shot  in  her 
hull,  nor  any  material  wound  in  her  spars  ;  the  rigging 
and  sails  were  very  much  cut;  but  having  bent  a  new 
suit  of  sails,  and  knotted  and  secured  our  rigging,  we 
are  now  completely  ready  in  all  respects,  for  service. 
We  were  8  men  short  of  a  complement,  and  had  9  up 
on  the  sick  list  the  morning  of  the  action. 

Enclosed  is  a  list  of  killed  and  wounded.  I  lament 
to  state,  that  Lieut.  Conner  is  wounded  dangerously. 
I  feel  great  solicitude  on  his  account,  as  he  is  an  officer 
of  much  promise,  and  his  loss  would  be  a  serious  loss  to 
the  service. 

It  is  a  most  pleasing  part  of  my  duty  to  acquaint  you, 
that  the  conduct  of  Lieutenants  Conner  and  Newton, 
Mr.  Mayo,  acting  Lieut.  Brown  low  of  the  marines,  Sail 
ing  Master  Romney,  and  the  other  officers,  seamen, 
and  marines,  I  have  the  honor  to  command,  was  in 
the  highest  degree  creditable  to  them,  and  calls  for  my 
warmest  recommendation.  1  cannot  indeed  do  justice 
to  their  merits.  The  satisfaction  which  was  diffused 
throughout  the  ship,  when  it  was  ascertained,  that  the 
stranger  was  an  enemy's  sloop  of  war,  and  the  alacrity 
with  which  everyone  repaired  to  his  quarters,  fully  as 
sured  me,  that  their  conduct  in  action  would  be  mark 
ed  with  coolness  and  intrepidity. 
I  have  the  honor  to  be 

your  obedient  servant, 

J.  BIDDLE. 

Loss  on  board  the  Hornet,  1  killed  and  1 1  wounded. 


THE  AMERICAN  NAVY.  033 

Extract  of  a  letter  from  an  officer  on  board  the  sloop  of  war  Peacock, 
off  Tristan   d'Acuna. 

April  10,   1815. 

The  Hornet  separated  in  chase,  two  dajs  out,  and  we 
fell  in,  off  here,  a  few  days  since.  We  are  delighted  to 
hear  of  her  good  fortune — so  superior  to  our  own.  She 
had  captured,  two  days  previous,  his  Britannic  Majesty's 
brig  Penguin,  after  an  action  of  201-2  minutes.  The 
Penguin  was  fitted  out  by  Admiral  Tyler  at  the  Cape 
of  Good  Hope,  expressly  to  capture  the  privateer  Young 
Wasp,  who  hud  captured  an  Indiarnan  in  that  neighbor 
hood,  and  landed  the  prisoners  ;  and  was  supposed  to 
have  brought  her  prize  here  to  strip  her  and  refresh. 
The  Penguin  was  commanded  by  Capt.  Dickenson,  a 
distinguished  young  man  in  their  qhronicles  ;  and  it  ap 
pears  from  some  of  his  papers,  of  respectable  connex 
ions,  and  a  great  favorite  in  the  navy.  Admiral  Tyler 
loaned  him  12  marines  from  the  Medway,  and  was 
very  minute  in  his  instructions,  and  grave  to  a  degree, 
in  his  injunctions,  upon  Dickinson,  as  to  the  manner  of 
engaging  the  privateer :  to  get  close  enough  was  the 
great  desideratum.  What  a  man  seeks  earnestly  he  is 
almost  sure  to  find,  and  Capt.  Dickenson  supposed  he 
had  the  Wasp,  when  he  only  saw  the  Hornet,  a  vessel 
considerably  smaller  in  alJ  her  dimensions,  and  decided 
ly  inferiour  in  her  armament  to  the  privateer.  The 
Hornet  on  perceiving  that  the  brig  bore  up  for  her,  laid 
all  aback  ;  the  brig  came  stern  on,  lest  the  Hornet  might 
discover  her  guns  and  be  off,  and  brushing  close  along 
side  of  her,  fired  a  gun,  and  ran  up  her  St.  George. 
An  entire  broadside  from  the  Hornet,  every  shot  of 
which  told,  opened  the  eyes  of  John  Bull  uponayankee 
man  of  war  ;  just  what  they  had  been  wishing  ever  since 
they  left  England.  In  20  minutes  the  Penguin  had  her 
fore-mast  over  the  side — her  bowsprit  in  two  pieces — 
her  broadside  nearly  driven  in — 20  men  killed,  inclu* 
ding  the  captain,  and  one  of  Lord  Nelson^s  boatswains, 
20* 


234'  RISE  AND  PROGRESS  OF 

and  35  wounded,  including  the  2d  lieutenant,  2  midship 
men,  and  master's  mate,  &c.  The  Hornet,  untouched  in 
her  hull,  was  severely  cut  up  in  her  rigging,  especially 
about  her  main  and  fore- top-gallant  masts,  her  mizzen 
being  a  vast  deal  too  low  for  Brittish  gunnery — one 
marine  killed,  the  captain  and  1st  lieutenant  Conner, 
(severely)  and  9  others  wounded.  The  officers  of  the 
Penguin  ascribed  their  misfortune  entirely  to  the  supe 
riority  of  the  men  belonging  to  the  Hornet  ;  and  have 
repeatedly  said  they  would  be  glad  to  try  it  again  with 
her,  if  the  Penguin  were  manned  with  such  men. 

Now  these  gentlemen  left  England  last  September, 
and  the  prisoners  are  as  stout,  fine  looking  fellows,  as  I 
ever  saw.  One  fact,  which  is  probable,  is  worth  all 
speculation  in  such  an  inquiry.  On  examining  her  guns 
after  the  action,  a  32lb.  carronade,  on  the  side  engaged, 
was  found  with  his  tompion  as  nicely  puttied  and  slop 
ped  in  as  it  was  the  day  she  left  Spithead  !  Capt.  Diek- 
enson,  towards  the  close  of  the  fight,  told  his  1  st  lieuten 
ant,  M'Donald,  that  "  the  fellows  are  giving  it  to  us  like 
hell  ;  we  must  get  on  board  ;"  and  on  being  asked  by 
Biddle  why  he  did  not,  as  there  never  had  been  a  better 
opportunity — he  said,  "  he  did  try,  but  found  the  men 
rather  backward — and  so,  you  know,  we  concluded  to 
give  it  up."  After  M'Donald  had  repeatedly  called 
out  that  they  had  surrendered,  and  Biddle  had  ceased 
his  fire,  two  fellows  on  board  the  Penguin  fired  upon  him 
and  the  man  at  the  wheel.  Biddle  was  struck  on  the 
chin,  and  the  ball  passing  round  the  neck,  went  off 
through  the  cape  of  his  surtout,  wounded  him,  however, 
severely,  but  not  dangerously  ;  the  man  escaped,  but 
the  ruffians  did  not,  for  they  were  observed  by  two  of 
Biddle's  marines,  who  levelled  and  laid  them  dead  up 
on  the  deck  in  an  instant. 


THE  AMERICAN  NAVY. 


ANECDOTES. 

In  this  action  a  private  marine  of  the  Hornet,  na 
med  Michael  Smith  (who  had  served  under  the  gallant 
Porter  in  the  Essex)  received  a  shot  through  the  upper 
part  of  the  thigh,  which  fractured  the  bone,  and  nearly 
at  the  same  moment  had  the  same  thigh  broken  immedi 
ately  above  the  knee  by  the  spanker-boom  of  the  Hornet, 
which  was  carried  away  by  the  enemy's  bowsprit,  while 
afoul  of  her.  In  this  situation,  while  bleeding  upon  the 
deck  and  unable  to  rise,  he  was  seen  to  make  exertions 
to  discharge  his  musket  at  the  enemy  on  the  top-gallant 
forecastle  of  the  Penguin — this,  however,  the  poor  fel 
low  was  unable  to  accomplish  ;  and  was  compelled  to  be 
carried  below. 

The  officers  of  the  Penguin  relate,  that,  during  the 
action  with  the  Hornet,  a  321b.  shot  came  in  at  the  after 
port  of  the  Penguin,  on  the  larboard  side  carried  away 
six  legs,  killed  the  powder  boy  of  the  division,  capsized 
the  opposite  gun  on  the  starboard  side,  passed  through 
the  port,  and  u  sunk  in  sullen  silence  to  the  bottom." 


ESCAPE  OF  THE  HORNET. 

Copy  of  5  letter  from  Capt.  Biddle  to  Com.  Do«atur. 

U.  S.  Sloop  Hornet,.  St.  Savador,  Junt  10,  1813, 
SIR, 

I  have  the  honour  to  report,  that  the  Peacock  and  thif 
*hip,  having  continued  off  Tristan  d'  Acuna  the  number 
of  days  direeted  by  you  in  your  letter  of  instructions, 
proceeded  in  company  to  the  eastward  on  the  1 2th  of 
April,  bound  to  the  second  place  of  rendezvous  Noth 
ing  of  any  importance  occurred  to  us  until  the  27th  of 
April,  when  at  7  A.  M.  in  lat.  38  deg.  30  min.  S.  and 
loa.  IS  deg.  E.  we  made  a  strange  sail  in  the  S.  E.  H 


036  RISE  AND  PROGRESS  OF 

which  we  gave  chase.  The  wiad  was  from  the  N.  E. 
by  N.  and  light  throughout  the  day,  and  by  sun-down  we 
had  ncared  the  chase  considerably.  It  was  calm  during 
the  night,  and  at  day-light  on  the  28th,  he  was  yet  in 
sight.  A  breeze  springing  from  theN.  W.  we  crowded 
sail  with  steering  sails  on  both  sides ;  the  chase  standing 
totho  nortward  upon  a  wind.  At  45  minutes  past  2 
P.  M.  the  Peacock  was  about  six  miles  ahead  of  this 
ship  ;  and  observing  that  she  appeared  to  be  suspicious 
of  the  chase,  I  took  in  starboard  steering  sails,  and  haul 
ed  up  for  the  Peacock — I  was  still,  however,  of  opinion 
that  the  chase  was  an  Tndiaman,  though  indeed  the  at 
mosphere  was  quite  smoky  and  indistinct,  and  I  conclu 
ded,  as  she  was  very  large,  that  Capt.  Warrington  was 
waiting  for  me  to  join  him,  that  we  might  together  go 
along  side  of  her.  At  22  minutes  past  3  P.  M.  the  Pea 
cock  made  the  signal,  that  the  chase  was  a  ship  of  the 
line,  and  an  enemy.  I  immediately  took  in  all  steering 
sails,  and  hauled  upon  a  wind  ;  the  enemy  then  upon 
our  lee-quarter,  distant  about  8  miles.  By  sun-down  I 
had  perceived,  that  the  enemy  sailed  remarkably  fast, 
and  was  very  weatherly. 

At  9  P.  M.  as  the  enemy  was  gaining  upon  us,  and  as 
there  was  every  appearance  that  he  would  be  enabled 
to  keep  sight  of  us  during  the  night,  I  considered  it  ne 
cessary  to  lighten  this  ship.  1  therefore  threw  over 
board  12  tons  of  kentledge,  part  of  our  sliot,  some  of  our 
heavy  spars,  cut  away  the  sheet  anchor  and  cable,  and 
started  the  wedges  of  the  masts.  At  2  A.  M.  the  ene 
my  being  rather  before  our  lee-beam,  1  tacked  to  the 
westward  ;  the  enemy  also  tacked,  and  continued  in 
chase  of  ug,  At  day  light  on,  the  29th,  he  was  within 
gun-shot,  upon  our  lee-quarter.  At  7  A.  M.  having 
hoisted  English  colours,  and  a  rear  admiral's  flag,  he 
commenced  firing  from  his  bow  guns.  As  his  shot  went 
over  us,  I  cut  away  the  remaining  anchor  and  cable, 
threw  overboard  the  launch,  six  of  our  guns,  more  of 
our  shot,  and  every  heavy  article  that  was  at  hand  ; 


THE  AMERICAN  NAVY.  237 

the  enemy  fired  about  thirty  shot,  not  one  of  which  took 
effect,  though  most  of  them  passed  over  us.  While  he 
was  firing,  I  had  the  satisfaction  to  perceive,  that  we 
slowly  dropt  him,  and  at  9  A.  M.  he  eeased  his  fire. 

At  1 1  A.  M.  the  enemy  was  again  coming  up  with  us. 
I  now,  therefore,  threw  overboard  all  our  remaining 
guns  but  one  long  gun,  nearly  all  our  shot,  all  our  spare 
spars,  cut  away  the  top-gallant  fore-castle,  and  cleared 
every  thing  off  deck,  as  well  as  from  below,  to  lighten 
as  much  as  possible.  At  noon  the  enemy  again  com 
menced  firing.  He  fired  many  shot,  only  three  of  which 
came  on 'board  ;  two  striking  the  hull,  and  one  passing 
through  the  jib.  It  is,  however,  extraordinary,  that 
every  shot  did  not  take  effect  ;  for  the  enemy,  the  sec 
ond  time  he  commenced  firing,  was  certainly  within 
three  quarters  of  a  mile  of  the  ship,  and  the  sea  quite 
smooth. 

I  perceived  from  his  sails  that  the  effect  of  his  fire 
was  to  deaden  his  wind,  and  at  2  P.  M.  the  wind  which 
had  previously,  and  greatly  to  our  disadvantage,  backed 
to  the  southeast,  hauled  to  the  westward,  and  freshened 
up.  At  sun-down  the  enemy  was' about  four  miles 
astern.  The  wind  was  fresh,  and  we  went  at  the  rate 
of  nine  knots  throughout  the  night.  We  saw  the  ene 
my  at  intervals  through  the  squalls  during  the  night,  and 
at  day  light,  on  the  30th,  he  was  about  12  miles  astern, 
still  in  chase  of  us.  At  30  minutes  after  9  A.  M.  he 
took  in  steering-sails,  reefed  his  top-sail  and  hauled  to 
the  eastward,  and  at  1 1  he  was  entirely  out  of  sight. 

During  the  chase,  the  enemy  appeared  to  be  very 
crank,  and  I  therefore  concluded  he  must  have  been 
lightened  while  in  chase  of  us.  I  did  not  at  any  time 
fire  our  stern  chasers,  because  it  was  manifest  that  the 
enemy  injured  his  sailing  by  his  firing. 

As  we  had  now  no  anchor,  no  cable,  no  boat,  and  but 
one  gun,  there  was  of  course  an  absolute  necessity  of  re 
linquishing  our  intended  cruise  ;  and  as  in  our  then  con 
dition,  it  would  have  been  extremely  hazardous  on  ac- 


233  RI3E   AND  PROGRESS  OF 

count  of  the  enemy's  cruisers,  to  approach  our  own 
coast.  I  considered  it  most  advisable  to  proceed  for  this 
port.  I  arrived  here  yesterday,  and  on  my  arrival  I  re 
ceived  information  of  the  peace  between  the  United 
States  and  Great  Britain.  Permit  me  to  state,  that  it 
was  with  the  mo?t  painful  reluctance,  and  upon  the  ful 
lest  conviction  that  it  was  indispensable,  in  order  to  pre 
vent  a  greater  misfortune,  that  I  could  bring  my  mind  to 
consent  to  part  with  my  guns  ;  and  I  beg  leave  to  re 
quest,  that  you  will  be  pleased  to  move  the  honourable 
secretary  of  the  navy,  to  call  a  court  of  inquiry  to  inves 
tigate  the  loss  of  the  armament  of  this  ship.  It  will  be 
very  satisfactory  to  me  to  have  such  an  investigation. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be, 

respectfully,  your  obe't  serv't. 

J.  BIDDLE. 

Com.  DECATUR. 


Narrative  of  the  escape  of  the  Hornet  from  a  British  74, 
after  a  chase  of  42  hours — extracted  from  a  private 
journal  of  one  of  the  officers  on  board  the  Hornet. 

U.  S.  Ship  Hornet,  off  the  Cape,  of  Good  Hope, 

.A%9,   1815. 

April  27,  1815 — At  7  P.  M.  the  Peacock  made  a 
signal  for  a  strange  sail,  bearing  S.  E.  by  S.  We  im 
mediately  made  all  sail  in  chase.  Friday  28th  com 
menced  with  light  breezes  and  pleasant  weather,  all  sail 
set  in  chase  ;  at  sun  down  we  had  neared  the  stranger 
considerably,  when  it  fell  perfectly  calm,  and  remained 
so  during  the  whole  of  the  night ;  the  stranger  ahead,  and 
could  just  discern  his  top-sails  out  of  the  water.  At  day 
light  the  sail  not  to  be  seen  from  the  deck  ;  at  5  A.  M. 
a  breeze  sprung  up  from  the  N.  W.  we  immediately 
crowded  all  sail,  in  order  if  possible  to  get  sight  of  the 
chase  again  ;  soon  after  descried  him  standing  to  the 
northward  and  eastward  on  a  wind. 


THE  AMERICAN  NAVY,  239 

Saturday  29th,  at  3-4  past  2  P.  M.  the  Peacock  was 
about  10  miles  ahead  of  the  Hornet ;  we  observed  Capt. 
Warrington  approaching  the  stranger  with  much  precau 
tion  ;  we  therefore  took  in  all  our  larboard  steering- 
sails,  set  the  stay  sails,  and  hauled  up  for  the  Peacock, 
still  under  the  impression  the  sail  in  sight  was  an  En 
glish  Indiaman,  and  from  the  apparent  conduct  of  the 
commander  of  the  Peacock,  we  were   under  the   im 
pression  (as  the  ship  looked  very  large)  that  Capt.   W. 
was  waiting  until  we  came  up   with  him   in  order  to 
make  a  joint  attack.     Atpialf  past  3,  the  Peacock  made 
the  signal,  that  the  chase  was  a  line-of-battle  ship,  and 
an  enemy  ;  our  astonishment  may  easily  be  conceived  ; 
we  took  in  all  steering-sails  and  hauled  upon  the  wind, 
bringing  the  enemy  upon  our  lee-quarter,  and  about  3 
leagues  distant  ;  the  Peacock  on  his  weather  bow  and 
apparently  not  more  than  3  miles  from  the  enemy.     At 
sun-down  the  enemy  bore  E.  1-2  S.  the  Peacock  E-  by 
N.     We  soon^perceived  the  enemy  sailed   remarkably 
fast,  but  the  Peacock  left  him  running  off  to  the  east 
ward.     The  enemy  continued  by  the  wind  and  evident 
ly  chase  of  us,   at  6,  loosed  the  wedges   of  the  lower 
mast ;  at  8,  we  discovered  the  enemy  weathered  upon 
us  fast,  and  that  there  was  every  appearance  he  would, 
if  not  come  up  with  us,  continue  in  sight  all  night.     It 
was  thought  necessary  to  lighten  the  ship  ;  at  9  we  cut 
awav  the  sheet-anchor,  and  hove  overboard  the  cable,  a 
quantity  of  rigging,  spars,  &c.  At  half  past  9,  scuttled 
the  wardroom  deck    to    get   at  the    kentledge,    hove 
overboard  90  pieces,  weighing  about  50  tons.     At  2  A. 
M.  tacked  ship  to  the  southward  and  westward,  which 
the  enemy  no  sooner  discovered,  than  he  tacked  also. 
At  day-light  he   was  within   shot  distance,  on  our  lee- 
quarter  ;  at  7,  he  hoisted  English  colours  and   a   rear 
admiral's  flag  at  his  mizzen-top-gallant  masthead,  and 
commenced   firing  from  his  bow   guns,  his  shot   over 
reaching   us  about  a  mile.     We  therefore   commen 
ced  again  to  lighten  the  ship,  by  cutting   away  our  r$« 


2-10  RISE   AND  PROGRESS  OF 

rnaining  anchors  and  throwing  overboard  the  cable,  cut 
up  the   launch    and   hove   it  overboard,   a  quantity   of 
provisions  with  more  kentledge,   shot,  capstern,  spars, 
all  rigging,  sails,  guns,  and  in  fact  every  heavy  article 
that  could  possibly  tend  to  impede  the'  ship's  sailing. 
The  enemy   continued  to  fire  very  heavy  and  in  quick 
succession;  but  his  British  thunder  could  neither  terri 
fy  the  yankee  spirit,  diminish  yankee  skill,  nor  compel 
us  to  show  him  the  yankee  stripes,  which  must  have  ir 
ritated  him  excessively.     None  of  his  shot  as  yet  had 
taken  effect,  although  he  had  been  firing  for  near  4  hours 
incessantly,    his   shot  generally   passing  between  our 
masts,     We  thought  at   this  period  we  discovered  that 
we  were  dropping  him,  as  his  shot  began  to  fall  short  ; 
this  stimulated  our  gallant  crew  to  fresh  exertion.     At 
1 1 ,  his  firing  ceased,  and  the  breeze  began  to  freshen  ; 
we  discovered  the  enemy  was  again  coming  up  with  us 
fast,  which  induced  a  general  belief  he  had  made  some 
alteration  in  the  trim  of  his  ship.     At  meridean  squally 
and  fresh  beezes,  wind   from   the   westward.      Sundy 
(30th)  fresh  breezes  and  squally,  the  enemy  still  gaining 
on  the  Hornet ;  at   1  P.  M.  being  within  gun-shot  dis 
tance,  he  commenced  a  very  spirited  and  heavy  fire 
with  round  and  grape,  the  former  passing  between  our 
masts,  and  the  latter  falling  all  around  us.     The  enemy 
fired  shells,  but  were  so  ill   directed  as  to  be  perfectly 
harmless. 

From  2  to  3,  threw  overboard  all  the  muskets,  cut 
lasses,  forge,  &LC.  &c.  and  broke  up  the  bell — also  cut 
up  the  top-gallant  fore-castle.  It  was  now  our  .capture 
Appeared  inevitable — the  enemy  3-4  of  a  mile  on  the 
Jee-quarter,  pouring  in  his  shot  and  shells  in  great  num 
bers  all  around  us — continued  to  lighten  the  ship,  by 
heaving  every  thing  overboard  that  could  either  be  of 
service  to  the  enemy,  or  an  impediment  to  the  Hornet'i 
sailing.  The  men  were  ordered  to  lay  down  on  the 
quarter-deck,  in  order  to  trim  ship,  and  facilitate  the 
sailing.  At  4,  one  of  the  shot  from  the  enemy 


THE  AMERICAN  NAVY.  241 

struck  the  jib-boom,  another  struck  the  starboard  bul 
wark,  just  forward  of  the  gangway,  and  a  third  struck  on 
the  deck  forward  of  the  main  hatch,  on  the  larboard 
side,  glanced  off  and  passed  through  the  foresail.  At 
1-2  past  4,  we  again  began  to  leave  the  enemy,  and  to 
Appearance,  by  magick — set  the  larboard  lower  steering 
sail,  the  wind  drawing  more  aft.  At  5,  the  enemy's 
shot  fell  short.  At  6,  fresh  breezes — the  enemy  hull 
down  in  our  wake.  At  7,  could  just  see  his  lower  steer 
ing  sail  above  horizon — from  8  to  12,  descried  him  at 
intervals,  with  night  glasses.  At  day  light,  discovered 
the  enemy  astern  of  us,  distant  5  leagues.  At  9  A.  M. 
the  enemy  shortened  sail,  reefed  his  top-sail,  and  hauled 
upon  a  wind  to  the  eastward,  after  a  chase  of  42  hours. 
During  this  tedious  and  anxious  chase,  the  wind  was 
variable,  so  as  to  oblige  us  to  make  a  perfect  circle 
round  the  enemy.  Between  2  and  3  o'clock  yesterday 
notaperson  on  board  had  the  most  distant  idea  that 
there  was  a  possibility  of  escape.  We  all  packed  up 
our  things,  and  waited  until  the  enemy's  shot  would 
compel  us  to  heave  to  and  surrender,  which  appeared 
certain.  Never  has  there  been  so  evident  an  interposi 
tion  of  the  goodness  of  a  Divine  Father — my  heart  with 
gratitude  acknowledges  his  supreme  power  and  good 
ness.  On  the  morning  of  the  28th  it  was  very  calm, 
and  nothing  but  murmurs  were  heard  throughout 
the  ship,  as  it  was  feared  we  should  lose  our  anticipated 
prize — many  plans  had  been  formed  by  us  for  the  dis 
posal  of  our  plunder.  The  seamen  declared  they 
would  have  the  birth  deck  carpeted  with  East  India  silk, 
supposing  her  an  Indiaman  from  India  ;  while  the  offi 
cers,  under  the  impression  she  was  from  England,  were 
making  arrangements  how  we  should  dispose  of  the 
money,  porter,  cheese,  &c.  &c.  Nothing  perplexed  us 
more  than  the  idea  that  we  should  not  be  able  to  take 
out  ail  the  good  things  before  we  should  be  obliged  to 
destroy  her.  We  were  regretting  our  ship  did  not  sail 
faster,  as  the  Peacock  would  certainly  capture  her  first, 
21 


242  RISE  AND  PROGRESS  OF 

and  would  take  out  many  of  the  best  and  most  valuable 
articles  before  we  should  get  up — (this  very  circum 
stance  of  our  not  sailing  as  fast  as  the  Peacock,  saved  us 
in  the  first  instance  from  inevitable  capture,  for  when 
Capt.  W.  made  the  signal  for  the  sail  to  be  an  enemy 
of  superiour  force,  we  were  4  leagues  to  windward.) 
We  all  calculated  our  fortunes  were  made,  but  alas,  "we 
caught  a  Tartar.11  During  the  latter  part  of  the  chase, 
when  the  shot  and  shells  were  whistling  about  our  ears, 
it  was  an  interesting  sight  to  behold  the  varied  counte 
nances  of  our  crew.  They  had  kept  the  deck  during  all 
the  preceding  uight,  employed  continually  in  lightening 
the  ship,  were  excessively  fatigued,  and  under  momen 
tary  expectation  of  falling  into  the  hands  of  a  barbarous 
and  enraged  enemy.  The  shot  that  fell  on  the  main 
deck,  (as  before  related)  struck  immediately  over  the 
head  of  one  of  our  gallant  fellows,  who  had  been  woun 
ded  in  our  glorious  action  with  the  Penguin,  where  he 
was  lying  in  his  cot,  very  ill  with  his  wounds  ;  the  shot 
was  near  coming  through  the  deck,  and  it  threw  innu 
merable  splinters  all  around  this  poor  fellow,  and  struck 
down  a  small  paper  American  Ensign,  which  he  had 
hoisted  over  his  bed — destruction  apparently  stared  us 
in  the  face,  if  we  did  not  soon  surrender,  yet  no  officer, 
no  man,  in  the  ship  shewed  any  disposition  to  let  the 
enemy  have  the  poor  little  Hornet.  Many  of  our  men 
had  been  impressed  and  imprisoned  for  years  in  their 
horrible  service,  and  hated  them  and  their  nation  with 
the  most  deadly  animosity  ;  while  the  rest  of  the  crew, 
horror-struck  by  the  relation  of  the  sufferings  of  their 
ship-mates,  who  had  been  in  the  power  of  the  English, 
and  now  equally  flushed  with  rage,  joined  heartily  in  ex 
ecrating  the  present  authors  of  our  misfortune.  Capt. 
Biddle  mustered  the  crew,  and  told  them  he  was  pleased 
with  their  conduct  during  the  chase,  and  hoped  still  to 
perceive  that  propriety  of  conduct  which  had  alwa)* 
marked  their  character,  and  that  of  the  American  tar 
generally  ;  that  we  might  soon  expect  to  be  captured, 


THE  AMERiv,  A.S  r,"A  r  i .  24  3 

&c.  Not  a  dry  eye  was  to  be  seen  at  this  mention  of 
capture  ;  the  rugged  hearts  of  the  sailors,  like  ice  before 
the  sun,  warmed  by  the  divine  power  of  sympathy,  wept 
in  unison  with  their  brave  commander.  About  2 
o'clock,  the  wind,  which  had  crossed  us,  and  put  to  the 
test  all  our  nautical  skill  to  steer  clear  of  the  enemy, 
now  veered  in  our  favour  (as  before  stated)  and  we  left 
him.  This  was  truly  a  glorious  victory  over  the  hor 
rors  of  banishment  and  the  terrors  of  a  British  floating 
dungeon.  Quick  as  thought,  every  face  was  changed 
from  the  gloom  of  despair  to  the  highest  smile  of  delight, 
and  we  began  once  more  to  breathe  the  sweets  of  liber 
ty — the  bitter  sighs  of  regret  were  now  changed,  and  I 
put  forth  my  expression  of  everlasting  gratitude  to  him, 
the  supreme  Author  of  our  being,  who  had  thus  signally 
delivered  us  from  the  power  of  a  cruel  and  vindictive 
enemy. 


COURT  OF  INQUIRY. 


A  naval  court  of  inquiry  was  held  by  order  of  the  sec 
retary  of  the  navy,  on  board  the  U.  S.  ship  Hornet,  in 
the  harbour  of  New  York,  on  the  23d  of  August  1815, 
to  investigate  the  causes  of  the  return  of  that  ship  into 
port,  and  to  enquire  into  the  circumstances  attending 
the  loss  of  armament,  stores,  &c.  during  her  cruise; 
and  the  following  opinion  has  been  pronounced  by  the 
court : 

The  court,  after  mature  deliberation  on  the  testimony 
adduced,  are  of  opinion,  that  no  blame  is  imputable  to 
Capt.  Biddle,  on  account  of  the  return  of  the  Hornet  in 
to  port,  with  the  loss  of  her  armament,  stores,  &c.  and 
that  the  greatest  applause  is  due  to  him  for  his  perse- 


244  RISE  AND  PROGRESS  OF 

vering  gallantry  and  nautical  skill,  evinced  in  escaping, 
under  the  most  disadvantageous  circumstance,  after  a 
long  and  arduous  chase  by  a  British  line-of-battle  ship. 

SAMUEL  EVANS,  Prest. 
HENRY  WHEATON, 

Special  Judge  Advocate. 


CHAPTER   XIX. 

General  Operations  Continued. 
LOSS  OF  THE  ARGUS. 

About  the  1st  of  June,  the  United  States,  brig  Argus, 
captain  Allen,  sailed  for  France,  with  the  American 
minister,  Mr.  Crawford,  ard  from  thence  on  a  cruise  in 
the  British  channel,  where  her  success  led  the  British 
government  to  despatch  several  frigates  to  check  her 
career.  The  Argus  fell  in  with  one  of  those  frigates, 
the  Pelican,  and  after  a  sharp  action  of  forty-seven  min 
utes,  was  captured  and  carried  into  port.  Captain  Al 
len  fell,  mortally  wounded,  at  the  first  broadside;;  his 
lieutenant,  soon  after,  and  his  wheel  being  shot  away, 
the  brig  became  a  wreck  ;  yet  she  maintained  a  brave 
and  obstinate  conflict  until  all  resistance  became  ineffec 
tual,  then  surrendered — August  14th,  1813.  The  loss 
upon  both  sides,  was  nearly  equal. 

British  Official  Account. 

The  British  official  account  of  the  capture  of  the  U. 
S.  brig  Argus,  on  the  14th  of  August,  has  been  received. 
In  that  account,  the  Pelican,  which  took  the  Argus, 
states  the  force  of  the  two  vessels,  as  Lllows,  viz  : — Ar- 


THE  AMERICAN  NAVY.  245 

§ii?,  eighteen  24lb.  carronades,  and  two  I2's — 1  27  men* 
Pelican,  sixteen  32  pounders,  and  three  6's — 116  men. 
— The  action  lasted  43  minutes.  The  American  loss 
was  30,  killed  and  wounded ;  that  of  the  British  6. 

On  the  5th  of  September,  the  United  States  brig  En 
terprise,  of  sixteen  guns,  Captain  Burrows,  fell  in  with, 
and  captured  his  Britannic  majesty's  brig  Boxer,  of 
eighteen  guns,  captain  Blythe,  after  an  action' $f  forty 
five  minutes.  The  Enterprise  lost  nine,  the  Boxer  forty 
five,  both  captains  fell  in  the  action. 


CAPTURE  OF  THE  BOXER. 

Copy  of  a  letter  from  Lieut.  Ed.  R.  M'Call,  of  the  U.   S.  Brig; 
Enterprize,  to  Capt.  Isaac  Hull,  dated 

17.  S.  Brig  Enterprize,  Portland,  1th  Sept.  1813, 

SIR, 

In  consequence  of  the  unfortunate*  death  of  Lieut. 
Commandant  William  Burrows,  late  commander  of 
this  vessel,  it  devolves  on  me  to  acquaint  you  with  the 
result  of  our  cruise. — On  the  morning  of  the  4th, 
weighed  anchor,  and  swept  out,  and  continued  our 
course  to  the  eastward.  Having  received  information, 
of  several  privateers  being  off  Manhagan,  we  stood 
for  that  place ;  and,  on  the  following  morning,  in  the 
bay  near  Penguin-point,  discovered  a  brig  getting  un 
der  way,  which  appeared  to  be  a  vessel  of  war,  and  to 
which  we  immediately  gave  chase  :  she  tired  several 
guns,  and  stood  for  us,  having  four  ensigns  hoisted.  Af 
ter  reconnoitering,  and  discovering  her  force,  and  the 
nation  to  which  she  belonged,  we  hauled  upon  a  wind, 
to  stand  out  of  the  bay  ;  and,  at  3  o'clocfcr  shortened 
sail,  taeked,  and  run  down,  with  an  intention  to  bring 
her  to  close  action.  At  20  minutes  past  3,  P.  M.  when 
within  half  pistol  shot,  the  firing  commenced  from  both  ; 
21* 


246  RISE  AND  PROGRESS  OF 

and,  after  being  warmly  kept  up,  and  with  some  ma- 
noeuvering,  the  enemy  hailed,  and  said  they  had  surren 
dered,  about  4,  P.  M. — their  colours  being  nailed  to  the 
masts,  eould  not  be  hauled  down.  She  proved  to  be  his 
B.  M.  brig  Boxer,  of  14  guns,  Samuel  Blythe,  Esq. 
commander,  who  fell  in  the  early  part  of  the  engage 
ment,  having  received  a  cannon  shot  through  the  body  ; 
and,  I  amT  sorry  to  add,  that  Lieut.  Burrows,  who  had 
gallantly  led  us  to  action,  fell,  also,  about  the  same  time, 
by  a  musquet  ball,  which  terminated  his  existence  in 
eight  hours. 

The  Enterprize  suffered  much,  in  spars  and  rigging  ; 
and  the  Boxer  both  in  sparsr  rigging,  and  hull,  having 
many  shots  between  wind  and  water. 

It  would  be  doing  injustice  to  the  merit  of  Mr,  Til- 
linghast,  2d  Lieutenant,  were  I  not  to  mention  the  able 
assistance  I  received  from  him,  during  the  remainder  of 
the  engagement,  by  his  strict  attention  to  his  own  di 
vision,  and  other  departments  \  and  the  officers  and 
crew,  generally  :  I  am  happy  to  add,  their  cool  and  de 
termined  conduct  have  my  warmest  approbation  and 
applawse.  As  no  muster-roll,  that  can  be  fully  relied 
on,  has  come  into  my  possession,  I  cannot  exactly  state 
the  number  killed,  on  board  the  Boxer  ;  but  from  infor 
mation  received  from  the  officers  of  that  vessel,  it  ap 
pears  that  there  were  between  20  and  25  killed,  and  14 
wounded.  On  board  the  Enterprize,  there  was  1  kill 
ed,  and  13  wounded,  among  whom  was  Lieut.  Burrow*, 
(since  dead,)  and  Midshipman  Wartera,  mortally. — 
Sixty-six  prisoners. 

I  have  the  honor,  &c. 

EDWARD  R.  M'CALL,  Sen.  Officer. 

Isaac  Hull,  Esq.  Comg.  Naval  Officer, 
on  the  Eastern  station. 


THE  AMERICAN  NAVY.  247 

CHAPTER  XX. 

General  operations  of  the  War  continued. 

British    War  continued — General   operations    upon   the 
Sea  board — -against  Canada,  Louisiana,  frc. — Peace. 

Early  in  the  spring  of  1813,  a  British  squadron  enter 
ed  the  Delaware  bay,  under  the  command  of  Admiral 
Beresford,  and  commenced  their  operations  on  the 
American  sea  board,  and  Lewistown  suffered  severely. 
Admiral  Cockburnyat  the  same  time,  with  his  squadron, 
entered  the  Chesapeaker  where  he  committed  the  most 
cruel  ravages  ;  Frenchtown,  Havre-de-Grace,  Freder- 
icktown,  Georgetown,  and  Norfolk,  all  felt  the  ruthless 
hand  of  the  marauders,  and  several  of  those  places 
were  wholly  destroyed. 

Admiral  Warren  made  an  unsuccessful  attack  upon 
Craney  Island — June  24,  (near  Norfolk.)  The  next 
day  the  enemy  made  a  descent  upon  Hampton,  and 
gave  it  up  to  indiscriminate  plunder,  licentiousness  and 
brutality  ;  such  brutality  as  was  never  alleged  against 
a  savage,  and  such  as  would  make  a  savage  blush. 

During  these  operations,  three  American  frigates 
which  had  been  blockaded  in  the  port  of  New- York, 
made  their  escape  through  the  sound,  and  were  chased 
into  the  port  of  New-London,  where  they  were  blocka 
ded  through  the  remainder  of  the  war. 

The  enemy  attempted  to  bombard  Stonington,  about 
this  time  ;  but  the  borough  was  so  valiantly  defended,, 
that  it  suffered  very  little  damage. 

General  Dearborn,  who  had  succeeded  General 
Smyth,  in  the  command  of  the  northern  army,  com 
menced  his  operations  early  in  the  spring  of  1813,  to 
carry  the  war  into  Canada.  He  detached  general  Pike, 
with  2000  men,  to  make  a  descent  uj>on.  York,  and 


r48  RISE  AND  PROGRESS  OF 

seize  on  the  naval  and  military  stores,  as  well  as  the  ves 
sels  on  the  stocks. 

General  Pike  embarked  his  troops  on  the  25th  01 
April,  crossed  over  the  lake,  and  executed  his  commis 
sion  promptly^  The  enemy  were  driven  from  theii 
redoubts,  and  general  Pike  had  halted  his  troops  tc 
give  them  a  moment's  repose,  when  he  was  astonishec 
by  the  explosion  of  a  terrible  magazine,  which  over 
whelmed  his  troops  with  a  shower  of  stone,  timber,  &c, 
that  killed  and  wounded  more  than  two  hundred  men 
The  indignation  of  the  soldiers  soon  recovered  then 
from  their  surprise,  and  rallied  them  again  to  the 
charge. — Their  brave  general  animated  their  courge,  as 
he  lay  expiring  under  a  severe  contusion  from  the  awfu 
explosion  with  this  solemn  charge  :  "  Revenge  the  deatl 
of  your  general.'1'1 

Colonel  Pease  led  on  the  tioops  to  the  conquest  o 
York,  without  further  opposition,  and  the  town  surren 
dered  by  capitulation. 

The  enemy  lost  about  750  men  in  killed,  wounded 
and  prisoners,  and  the  American  loss  in  killed  am: 
wounded  did  not  exceed  300. 

It  is  recorded  of  York,  "  that  a  human  skull  was 
found  in  the  hall  of  the  assembly,  placed  over  the  mace 
of  the  speaker." 

General  Dearborn  secured  the  stores,  prisoners,  &e 
and  abandoned  the  place. 


BATTLE  OF  YORK. 

Copies  of  letters  from  Major  General  Dearborn,  to   the  Secretary  o 
War,  dated 

Htad-Quarlers,  York, -Capital  of  U.  C. 

April  27,  1813— 8  o'clock,  P.  M. 
SIR, 

We  are  in  full  possession  of  this  place,  after  a  sharp 
conflict,  in  which  we  lost  some  brave  officers  and  §ol- 


THE  AMERICAN  NAVY.  249 

diers.  Gen.  Sheaffe  commanded  the  British  troops, 
militia  and  Indians,  in  person. — We  shall  be  prepared 
to  sail  for  the  next  object  of  the  expedition,  the  first  fa 
vourable  wind.  I  have  to  lament  the  loss  of  the  brave 
and  active  Brig.  Gen.  Pike. 

I  am,  &c. 

H.  DEARBORN, 
Hon.  J.  Armstrong. 


Head-Quarters,  York,  Capital  of  U.  C. 

April  28,  1813. 

S-* 
IR, 

After  a  detention  of  some  days,  by  adverse  wind?,  we 
arrived  at  this  place  yesterday  morning,  and  at  eight 
o'clock  commenced  landing  the  troops,  about  three 
miles  westward  from  the  town,  and  one  and  a  half  from 
the  enemy's  works.  The  wind  was  high,  and  in  an  un 
favorable  direction  for  the  boats,  which  prevented  the 
landing  the  troops  at  a  clear  field,  the  scite  of  the  an 
cient  French  fort  Tarento  ;  it  prevented,  also,  many  of 
the  armed  vessels  from  taking  positions,  which  would 
have,  most  effectually,  covered  our  landing — but  every 
thing  that  could  be  done  was  effected. 

The  riflemen,  under  Major  Forsyth,  first  landed,  un 
der  a  heavy  fire  from  the  Indians,  and  other  troops. 
General  Sheaffe  commanded  in  person  :  he  had  collect 
ed  his  whole  force  in  the  woods,  near  the  point  where 
the  wind  compelled  our  troops  to  land ;  his  force  con 
sisted  of  700  regulars  and  militia,  and  100  Indians. 
Major  Forsyth  was  supported  as  promptly  as  possible  ; 
but  the  contest  was  sharp  and  severe  for  nearly  half  an 
hour,  and  the  enemy  were  repulsed  by  a  number  far  in 
ferior  to  theirs.  As  soon  as  Gen.  Pike  landed  with  7 
or  800  men,  and  the  remainder  of  the  troops  were 
pushing  for  the  shore,  the  enemy  retreated  to  their 
works.  Our  troops  were  now  formed  on  the  ground, 
originally  intended  for  their  landing,  advanced  through 


250  *;oi,  AND  PROGREaa  OF 

SL  thick  wood,  and  after  carrying  one  battery  by  assault, 
were  moring  in  columns  towards  the  main  work;  when 
within  60  rods  of  this,  a  tremendous  explosion  took 
place,  from  a  magazine  previously  prepared,  and  which 
threw  out  such  immense  quantities  of  stone,  as  most  se 
riously  to  injure  our  troops.  1  have  not  yet  been  able 
to  collect  the  returns  of  the  killed  and  wounded  ;  but 
our  loss  will,  I  fear,  exceed  100;  and  among  these,  I 
have  to  lament  the  loss  of  that  brave  and  excellent  offi 
cer,  Brig.  Gen.  Pike,  who  received  a  contusion  from  a 
large  stone,  which  terminated  his  valuable  life  within  a 
few  hours. — Previously  to  this  explosion,  the  enemy 
had  retired  into  town,  excepting  a  party  of  regulars,  to 
the  number  of  forty,  who  did  not  escape  the  shock,  and 
were  destroyed.  Gen.  SheafFe  moved  off,  with  the  regu 
lar  troops,  and  left  directions  with  the  commanding  offi 
cer  of  the  militia,  to  make  the  best  terms  he  could.  In 
the  mean  time,  all  further  resistance,  on  the  part  of  the 
enemy,  ceased;  and  the  outlines  of  a  capitulation 
were  agreed  on. 

As  soon  as  I  learned  that  Gen.  Pike  had  been  wound 
ed,  I  went  on  shore  ;  to  the  General,  I  had  been  induced 
to  confide  the  immediate  attack,  from  a  knowledge  that 
it  was  his  wish,  and  that  he  would  have  felt  mortified 
had  it  not  been  given  to  him. 

Our  loss  in  the  morning,  and  in  carrying  the  first  bat 
tery,  was  not  great  ;  perhaps  40  or  50  killed  and 
wounded,  and  of  them  a  full  proportion  of  officers. — 
Notwithstanding  the  enemy's  advantage  in  position,  and 
numbers,  in  the  commencement  of  the  action,  their  loss 
was  greater  than  ours,  especially  in  officers. 

1  am  under  the  greatest  obligations  to  Com.  Chaun- 
cey,  for  his  able  and  indefatigable  exertions,  in  every 
possible  manner  which  could  give  facility  and  effect  to 
the  expedition  ;  he  is  equally  estimable  for  sound  judg 
ment,  bravery  and  industry  ;  the  government  could  not 
have  made  a  more  fortunate  selection. 


THE  AMERICAN  NAVT.  251 

Unfortunately  the  enemy's  armed  ship,  Prince  Re 
gent,  left  this  place,  for  Kingston,  a  few  days  before  we 
arrived.  A  large  ship,  on  the  stocks,  and  nearly  plank 
ed  up,  and  much  naval  stores,  were  set  fire  to  by  the 
enemy,  soon  after  the  explosion  of  the  magazine  ;  a  con 
siderable  quantity  of  military  stores,  and  provisions,  re 
main,  but  no  vessels  fit  for  use. 

We  have  not  the  means  of  transporting  the  prisoners, 
and  must,  of  course,  leave  them  on  parole. 

I  hope  we  shall  so  far  complete  what  is  necessary  to 
be  done  here,  as  to  be  able  to  sail  to-morrow  for  Niaga 
ra,  whither  I  send  this,  by  a  small  vessel,  with  notice  to 
Gen.  Lewis,  of  our  approach. 

I  have  the  honor,  &c. 

H.  DEARBORN. 

Hon.  Sec.  War,, 


TRANSPORTATION  OF  TROOPS  TO  YORK. 

Copy   of  a  letter   from   Commodore  Chauucey,  to  the  Secretary 
of  the  Navy. 

U»  S.  Ship  Madison,  at  anchor. 

Of   York,<mhApnl,   1813. 
SIR, 

Agreeably  (o  your  instructions,  and  arrangements, 
made  with  -Major-General  Dearborn,  I  took  on  board 
the  squadron,  under  my  command,  the  General  and 
suite,  arid  about  1700  troops,  and  left  Sackett's  Harbor 
on  the  25th  inst.  for  this  place.  We  arrived  here  yes 
terday  morning,  and  took  a  position  about  one  mile  to 
the  south  and  westward  of  the  enemy's  principal  fort, 
and  as  near  the  shore  as  we  could,  with  safety  to  the 
vessels.  The  place  fixed  upon,  by  the  Mai.  Gen.  and 
myself,  for  landing  the  troops,  was  the  scite  of  the  old 
French  fort,  Taranta.  The  debarkation  commenced 
bout  8  o'clock,  A.  M.  and  was  completed  about  10  ; 


RISE  AND  PROGRESS  OF 

the  wind  blowing  heavy  from  the  eastward,  the  boats 
fell  to  leeward  of  the  position  fixed  upon,  and  were,  in 
consequence,  exposed  to  a  galling  fire  from  the  enemy 
who  had  taken  a  position  in  a  thick  wood,  near  where 
the  first  troops  landed  ;  however,  the  cool  intrepidity 
of  the  officers  and  men,  overcame  every  obstacle. 
Their  attack  upon  the  enemy  was  so  vigourous,  that  he 
fled  in  every  direction,  leaving  a  great  many  of  his  kil 
led  and  wounded  upon  the  field.  As  soon  as  the  troops 
were  landed,  I  directed  the  schooners  to  take  a  posi 
tion  near  the  forts,  in  order  that  the  attack  upon  them, 
by  the  army  and  navy  might  be  simultaneous.  The 
schooners  were  obliged  to  beat  up  to  their  position, 
which  they  did  in  very  handsome  order,  under  a  very 
heavy  fire  from  the  enemy's  batteries,  and  took  a  posi- 
ion  within  about  600  yards  of  their  principal  fort,  and 
opened  a  heavy  cannonade  upon  the  enem}",  which  did 
great  execution,  and  very  much  contributed  to  their 
final  destruction. 

The  troops,  as  soon  as  landed,  were  formed  under  the 
immediate  orders  of  Gen.  Pike,  who  led,  in  a  most  gal 
lant  manner,  the  attack  upon  the  forts,  and  after  having 
carried  two  redoubts,  in  their  approach  to  the  principal 
work,  (the  enemy  having  previously  laid  a  train,)  blew 
up  his  magazine,  which,  in  its  effects  upon  our  troops, 
was  dreadful,  having  killed  and  wounded  many  ;  and 
among  the  former,  the  ever  to  be  lamented  Brig.  Gen. 
Pike.  His  death,  at  this  time,  is  much  to  be  regretted, 
as  he  had  the  perfect  confidence  of  the  Major-General  : 
and  his  own  activity,  zeal,  and  experience,  make  his 
loss  a  national  one. 

In  consequence  of  the  fall  of  Gen.  Pike,  the  command 
of  the  troops  devolved,  for  a  time,  upon  Col.  Pierce, 
who  soon  after  took  possession  of  the  town.  At  about 
?,  P.  M.  the  American  flag  was  substituted  for  the 
British,  and,  at  about  4.  our  troops  were  in  quiet  pos 
session  of  the  town. 


THE  AMERICAN  NAVY.  ^  3 

As  goon  a?  Gen.  Dearborn  learnt  the  situation  of  Gen. 
Pike,  he  landed,  and  assumed  the  command. — 1  have 
the  honor  of  enclosing  a  copy  of  the  capitulation,  which 
was  entered  into,  and  approved  by  General  Dearborn, 
and  myself. 

The  enemy  set  fire  to  some  of  his  principal  store?, 
containing  large  quantities  of  naval  and  military  stores, 
as  well  as  a  large  ship,  upon  the  stocks,  and  nearly  fin 
ished.  The  only  vessel  found  there,  is  the  Duke  of 
Gloucester,  undergoing  repairs  ;  the  Prince  Regent  left 
here,  on  the  24th,  for  Kingston.  We  have  not  yet  had 
a  return  made  of  the  naval  and  military  stores,  conse 
quently  can  form  no  correct  idea  of  the  quantity,  but 
have  made  arrangements  to  have  all  taken  on  board, 
that  we  can  receive — the  rest  will  be  destroyed.  I  have 
to  regret  the  death  of  Midshipmen  Tompson  nnd  Hatfield, 
and  several  seamen  killed  ;  the  returns  from  the  differ 
ent  vessels  have  not  yet  been  made. 

I  cannot  speak  in  too  much  praise  of  the  cool  intre 
pidity  of  the  officers  and  men,  generally,  under  my 
command  ;  and  1  feel  myself  particularly  indebted  to 
the  officers  commanding  vessels,  for  their  zeal  in  sec- 
ending  all  my  views.  * 

1  have  the  honor,  &c. 

ISAAC  CHAUNCEY. 

Hon.  W.  JONES, 

On  board  the  squadron,  there  were  4  killed,  and  8 
wounded — total,  12. 


TERMS    OF   CAPITULATION, 

Entered  into,  on  the  57th  of  April,  1813  for  the  surren 
der  of  the  town  of  York,  in  Upper  Canada,  to  the 
Army  and  Navy  of  the  United  States,  under  the  com 
mand  of  Maj.  Gen.  Dearborn,  and  Commodore 
Chauncey. 


®54  RISE  AND  PROGRESS  OF 

That  the  troops,  regular  and  militia,  at  this  post,  and 
the  naval  officers  and  seaman,  shall  be  surrendered  pris 
oners  of  war — the  troops  regular  and  militia,  to  ground 
their  arms.,  immediately  on  parade,  and  the  naval  offi 
cers  and  seaman  be  immediately  surrendered. 

That  a31  public  stores,  naval  and  military,  shall  be 
immediately  given  up,  to  the  commanding  officers  of  the 
army  and  navy  of  the  United  States  ;  all  private  prop 
erty  shall  be  guaranteed  to  the  citizens  of  the  town  of 
York. 

That  all  papers  belonging  to  the  civil  officers,  shall 
be  retained  by  them  ; — that  such  surgeons,  as  may  be 
procured  to  attend  the  wounded  of  the  British  regulars, 
and  Canadian  militia,  shall  not  be  considered  prisoners 
of  war. 

That  1  Lieut.  Colonel,  1  Major,  13  Captains,  9  Lieu 
tenants,  1 1  Ensigns,  1  Quarter-master,  1  Dep.  Adj. 
General,  of  the  militia,  19  sergeants,  4  corporals,  and 
204  rank  and  file  ;  of  the  field  train  department,  1  ;  of 
the  provincial  navy,  1  Captain,  1  Lieutenant,  2  Midship 
men,  1  Captain's  Clerk,  1  Boatswain,  15  naval  artifi 
cers.  Of  his  majesty's  regular  troops,  1  Lieutenant,  1 
Sergeant-Major  ;  and  of  the  royal  artillery,  1  Bombard 
ier,  and  3  Gunners,  shall  be  surrendered  as  prisoners,  of 
war,  and  accounted  for  in  the  exchange  of  prisoners, 
between  the  United  States  and  Great  Britain. 
(Signed) 

G.  S.  MITCHELL,  Lieut.  Col.  3ti,  A.  U.  S. 

SAML.  S.  CONNER,  Maj.  and  Aid  to  Gen.  D. 

WM.  KING,  Major,  15  U.  S.  Infantry. 

JESSE  D.  ELLIOT,  Lieut.  U.  S,  Navy. 

W.  CHEWITT,  Lieut.  Col.  comg.  3d  Reg.  Y.  M. 
W.  ALLEN,  Maj.  3d  Reg.  York  Militia, 
F.  GAURREAU,  Lieut.  M.  Dpt. 

Our  loss  was,  14  killed  in  battle,  and  38  by  the  explo 
sion — 32  wounded  in  battle,  and  222  by  the  explosion  ; 
total,  killed  and  wounded,  306. 


THE  AMERICAN  NAVY.  555 


FURTHER    ACCOUNT. 

Extract  of  a  letter  from  Maj.  General  Henry  Dearborn,  to  the 
Secretary  of  War,  dated 

Niagara,  May  3d. 

As  nearly  as  I  have  been  able  to  ascertain,  the  loss  of 
the  enemy,  in  the  late  affair  of  York,  amounted  to  100 
killed,  200  prisoners,  and  300  wounded.  I  have  not 
been  able  to  ascertain,  precisely,  the  amount  of  militia 
put  on  their  parole  ;  I  presume  it  could  not  be  less  than 
500.  There  was  an  immense  depot  of  naval  and  mili 
tary  stores.  York  was  a  magazine  for  Niagara,  Detroit, 
&c.  and,  notwithstanding  the  immense  amount  which 
was  destroyed  by  them,  we  found  more  than  we  could 
bring  off.  Gen.  SheaiFe's  baggage  and  papers  fell  into 
my  hands.  The  papers  are  a  valuable  acquisition.  A 
SCALP  was  found  in  the  Executive  and  Legislative 
Council  Chamber,  suspended  near  the  speaker's  chair,  in 
company  -with  the  mace. 

H.  DEARBORN. 


CHAPTER  XXI. 

General  Operations   Continued. 

On  the  22d  of  May,  the  general  embarked  his  army 
and  proceeded  against  the  British  forts  on  the  Niagara, 
under  cover  of  Commodore  Chauncey's  fleet.  General 
Lewis  led  on  the  troops  to  victory  and  conquest,  du 
ring  the  illness  of  General  Dearborn.  The  British  forts, 
and  more  than  500  Canada  militia,  surrendered  prison 
ers  of  war.  The  Americans  lost  39  killed  and  1 1 1  woua- 


$56  RISE  AND  PROGRESS  OF 

ded.  The  next  day  the  British  blew  up  fort  Erie,  and 
«!i  remaining  fortifications,  and  returned  to  the  head  of 
Burlington  bay. 


TAKING  OF  FORT  GEORGE. 

Copies  oflelters  from  Commodore  Chaimcey,  to  the  Secretary  of  th* 
Navy. 

U.  S.  Ship  Madison, 

Niagara  River,  27f/i  May,  1813. 
SIR, 

I  am  happy  to  have  it  in  my  power  to  say,  that  the 
American  flag  is  flying  upon  fort  George.     We  were  in 
quiet  possession  of  all  the  forts  at  12  o'clock. 
I  have  the  honor,.  &c. 

I.  CHAUNCEY. 


U.  S.  S.  Madison,  ^th  May  1813. 
SIR, 

Agreeably  to  arrangements,  which  I  have  already 
had  the  honor  of  detailing  to  you,  I  left  Sackett's  Har 
bor,  with  this  ship,  on  the  22d  inst.  with  about  350  of 
Col.  M'Comb's  regiment  on  board  ;  the  winds  being 
light  from  the  westward,  I  did  not  arrive  in  the  vicinity 
of  Niagara,  before  the  25th  ;  the  other  parts  of  the 
squadron  had  arrived,  several  days  before,  and  landed 
their  troops.  The  Fair  American,  and  Pert,  I  had  or 
dered  to  Sackett's  Harbor,  for  the  purpose  of  watching 
the  enemy's  movements  at  Kingston.  I  immediately 
had  an  interview  with  Gen.  Dearborn,  for  the  purpose 
of  making  arrangements  to  attack  the  enemy,  as  soon  as 
possible  ;  and  it  was  agreed,  between  him  and  myself, 
to  make  the  attack  the  moment  that  the  weather  vva* 
*uc!i  as  to  allow  the  vessels  and  boats  to  approach  the 
shore  with  safety.  On  the  26th,  T  reconnoitered  the 
position  for  landing  tho  troops,  and  at  night  sounded 


THE  AMERICAN  NAVY.  257 

the  shore,  artd  placed  buoys  to  sound  out   the  stations 
for  the  small  vessls.     It  was  agreed,  between  the  Gene 
ral  and  myself,  to  make  the  attack  the  next  morning, 
(as  the  weatber  had  moderated,  and  had  every  appear 
ance  of  being  more  favorable.)     I  took  on  b~ml  of  the 
Madison,  Oneida,  and  Lady  of  the  Lake,  all  the  heavy 
artillery,   and  as  many  troops  as  could  be  stowed;  the 
remainder   were  to  embark  in  boats,  and   follow  the 
fleet.     At  3,  yesterday  morning,  the  signal  was  made  for 
the  fleet  to  weigh,  and  the  troops  were   all  embarked 
•on  board  the  boats  before  4,  and  soon  after  Gens.  Dear 
born  and  Lewis  came  on   board  -this  ship,  with  their 
'suites.     It  being  however,  nearly  calm,  the  schooners 
.were  obliged  to^sweep  into  their  positions.     Mr.  Trant, 
in  the  Julia,  and  Mr.  Mix,  in  the  Growler,  I  directed  to 
take  a  position  in  the  mouth  of  a  river,  and  silence   a 
battery,  near  the  light-house,  which,  from   its  position, 
commanded  the  shore  where  our  troops  were  to  land. 
•Mr.  Stevens,  in  the  Ontario,  was  directed  to  take  a  po 
sition  to  the  north  of  the  light-house,  so  near  in  shore  as 
•to  enfilade  the  battery,  and  cross  the  tire  of  the  Julia  and 
Growler.     Lieutenant  Brown,  in  the  Governor  Tomp- 
kins,  I   directed  to  take  a  position   near  to  Two   Mile 
'Creek,  where   the  enemy  had  a  battery,    with  a    heavy 
•gun.     Lieutenant   Pettigrew,  in  the  Conquest,  was   di 
rected  to  anchor  to  the  S.  E.  of  the  same  battery,  so 
near  in,  a«  to  open  on  it  in  the  rear,  and  cross  the  fire  of 
the  Governor  Tompkins-      Lieutenant  M'Pherson  iu 
the  Hamilton,  Lieut.  Smith,  in  the  Asp,  and  Mr.    Os- ' 
good,  in  the  Scourge,  were  directed  to  anchor  close   tc* 
the  shore,  and  cover  the  landing  of  the  troops  ;  and  to 
scour  the  woods  and  plain,  whenever  the  enemy  made 
his  appearance.     All   these  orders  were  most  promptly 
and  gallantly  executed  ;  All  the  vessels  anchored   with 
in  tnusquet  shot  of  the  shore,  and  in  ten   minutes  after 
they  opened  the  batteries,   they  were  completely  silen- 
<ced   and  abandoned.     Our  troops   then  advanced   in 
brigade*,  the  advance  led   by  Colonel  Scott,  and 


258  RISE  AND  PROGRESS  OF 

landed  near  the  fort,  which  had  been  silenced  by  Lieut, 
Brown. 

The  enemy,  who  had  been  concealed  bj  a  ravine, 
now  advanced,  in  great  force,  to  the  edge  of  the  bank. 
to  charge  our  troops  ;  the  schooners  opened  such  a 
well-directed  and  tremendous  tire  of  grape  and  canis 
ter,  that  the  enemy  soon  retreated  from  the  bank.  Our 
troops  formed  as  soon  as  they  landed,  and  immediately 
ascended  the  bank — charged,  and  routed  the  enemy  in 
every  direction,  the  schooners  keeping  up  a  constant 
and  well-directed  fire  upon  him,  in  his  retreat  to  the 
town.  Owing  to  the  wind  having  sprung  up  very  fresh 
from  the  eastward,  which  caused  a  heavy  sea,  directly 
on  shore,  I  was  not  able  to  get  the  boats  off,  to  land  the 
troops  from  the  Madison  and  Oneida,  before  the  first 
and  second  brigades  had  advanced.  Captain  Smith, 
with  the  marines,  landed  with  Col.  M'Comb's  regiment, 
and  1  had  prepared  400  seamen,  which  I  intended  to 
land  with  myself,  if  the  enemy  had  made  a  stand  ;  but 
our  troops  pursued  him  so  rapidly  into  the  town,  and 
fort  George,  that  I  found  there  was  no  necessity  for 
more  force  ;  moreover,  the  wind  had  increased  so  much,, 
and  hove  such  a  sea  on  shore,  that  the  situation  of  the 
fleet  had  become  dangerous  and  critical.  I,  therefore 
made  signal  for  the  fleet  to  weigh,  and  ordered  them 
into  the  river,  where  they  anchored,  immediately  after 
the  enemy  had  abandoned  fort  George.  The  town  and 
forts,  were  in  quiet  possession  of  our  troops  at  12 
o'clock v and  the  enemy  retreated  in  a  direction  toward* 
Queenstown. 

Where  all  behaved  so  well,  it  is  difficult  to  select 
any  one  for  commendation  ;  yet,  in  doing  justice  to 
Lieut.  Macpherson,  1  do  not  detract  from  the  merits  of 
others.  He  was  fortunate  in  placing  himself  in  a  situa 
tion,  where  he  rendered  very  important  service,  in  cov 
ering  the  troops  so  completely,  that  their  loss  was  tri 
fling.  Captain  Perry  joined  me,  from  Erie,  on  the 
evening  of  the  25th,  and  very  gallantly  volunteered  hit 


THE  AMERICAN  NAVY. 

services  ;  and  I  have  much  pleasure  in  acknowledging 
the  great  assistance  which  I  received  from  him,  in  ar 
ranging  and  superintending  the  debarkation  of  the 
troops  ;  he  was  present  at  every  point  where  he  could 
be  useful,  under  showers  of  musquetry  ;  but  fortunate 
ly,  escaped  unhurt.  We  lost  but  one  killed,  and  two 
wounded,  and  no  injury  done  to  the  vessels. 
I  have  the  honor,  &c. 

ISAAC  CHAUNCEY. 


FURTHER   REPORT. 

Copies  of  letters   from  Maj.   General  Dearborn,  to  the  Secretary  ot 
War,  dated 

Head-Quarters,  Fort  George, 

U.  Canada,  May  27,   1813. 
SIR, 

The  light  troops,  under  the  command  of  Col.  Scott 
and  Maj.  Forsyth,  landed  this  morning,  at  nine  o'clock. 
Maj.  Gen.  Lewis1  division,  with  Col.  Porter's  command 
of  light  artillery,  supported  them.  Gen.  Boyd's  brig 
ade  landed  immediately  after  the  light  troops,  and  Gen 
erals  Winder  and  Chandler  followed  in  quick  succession. 
The  landing  was  warmly  and  obstinately  disputed  by 
the  British  forces  ;  but  the  coolness  and  intrepidity  of 
our  troops,  soon  compelled  them  to  give  ground  in  eve 
ry  direction. 

General  Chandler,  with  the  reserve,  (composed  of  hii 
brigade,  and  Col.  M'Comb's  artillery)  covered  the 
whole. — Com,  Chauncey  had  made  the  most  judicious 
arrangements  for  silencing  the  enemy's  batteries,  near 
the  point  of  landing.  The  army  is  under  the  greatest 
obligations  to  that  able  naval  commander,  for  his  co-op 
eration  in  all  its  important  movements,  and  especial 
ly  in  its  operations  this  day.  Our  batteries  succeeded 
in  rendering  fort  George  untenable  ;  and  when  the  ene 
my  had  been  beaten  from  his  positions,  and  found  it  no- 


RISE  AND  PROGRESS  OF 

eessary  to  re-enter  it,  after  firing  a  few  guns,  and  setting 
fire  to  the  magazines,  which  soon  exploded,  he  moved 
off  rapidly  by  different  routes  ;  our  light  troops  pursu 
ed  them  several  miles,  The  troops  having  been  under 
arms,  from  one  o'clock  in  the  morning,  were  too  much 
exhausted  for  any  further  pursuit.  We  are  now  in 
possession  of  fort  George,  and  its  immediate  depen 
dencies  ;  to-morrow  we  shall  proceed  further  on.  The 
behaviour  of  our  troops,  both  officers  and  men,  entitle 
them  to  the  highest  praise  ;  and  the  difference  in  our 
loss,  with  that  of  the  enemy,  when  we  consider  the  ad 
vantages  his  position  afforded  him,  is  astonishing  : — we 
had  17  killed,  and  45  wounded — the  enemy  had  90 
'killed,  and  160  wounded,  of  the  regular  troops.  We 
have  taken  100  prisoners,  exclusively  of  the  wounded. 
•Col.  Meyers,  of  the  49th,  was  wounded  and  taken  pris 
oner;  of  ours,  only  one  commissioned  officer  was  kill 
ed — Lieut.  Hobart,  of  the  light  artillery.  Enclosed  U 
4Lhe  report  of  Major-General  Lewis. 
1  have  the  honor,  &c. 

H.  DEARBORN, 
Hon.  Gen.  J.  Armstrong. 


GEN.  LEWIS'  REPORT. 

On  the  Field,  I  o'c^c£.T  27th  May,  1 3 1 3, 

DEAR  SIR, 

Fort  George  and  its  dependencies  are  ours  ;  the  ene 
my,  beaten  at  all  points,  has  blown  up  his  magazines, 
and  retired.  It  is  impossible,  at  this  time,  to  say  anj 
thing  of  individual  gallantry  ;  there  was  no  man  who 
did  not  perform  his  duty  in  a  manner  which  did  honor  to 
himself  and  country.  Scott's  and  Forsyth's  com 
mands,  supported  by  Boyd's  and  Winder's  brigades, 
sustained  the  brunt  of  the  action.  Our  loss  i*  trifling  ; 


THE  AMERICAN  NAVY.  S61 

not  more  than  20  killed,  and  twice  that  number  wound 
ed.     The  enemy  has  left  in  the  hospital  124,  and  I  sent 
several   on   hoar. I  of  the   fleet.      We   have    also  mado 
about  100  prisoners  of  the  regular  forces. 
1  am,  &LC. 

MORGAN  LEWIS. 
Maj.  Gen.  Dearborn. 


FURTHER.  PROCEEDINGS. 

PLad  Quarters,  Fort  George,  M.nj  29th,  1813. 
SIR, 

Gen.  Lewis  was  ordered  to  march  ye:  terday  morn 
ing,  with  Chandler's  and  Winder's  brigades,  the  light 
artillery,  dragoons, and  riflemen,  in  pursuit  of  the  ene 
my,  by  way  of  Queenstown.  I  had  received  satisfactory 
information  that  the  enemy  had  made  a  stand  on  the 
mountain,  at  a  place  called  Beaver-dam,  where  he  had 
a  deposit  of  provisions  and  stores;  and  that  ho  had 
been  joined  by  300  regulars,  from  Kingston,  landed 
from  some  small  vessels,  near  the  head  of  the  lake. 

I  had  ascertained  that  he  was  calling  in  the  militia, 
and  had  presumed  he  wou'd  confide  in  the  strength  of 
his  position,  and  venture  an  action,  by  which  an  oppor 
tunity  would  be  afforded  to  cutoff  his  retreat.  I  have 
been  disapointed.  Although  the  troops,  from  fort  Erie 
and  Chippewa,  had  joined  the  main  body,  at  Beaver- 
dam,  he  broke  up  yesterday,  precipitately,  continued 
his  route  along  the  mountains,  and  will  reach  the  head 
of  the  lake  by  that  route. 

Lieut.  Col.  Preston  took  possession  of  fort  Erie,  and 
its  dependencies,  last  evening  ;  the  post  had  been  aban 
doned,  and  the  magazine  blown  up. 

I  have  ordered  Gen.  Lewis  to  return,  without  delay, 
to  this  place ;  and,  if  the  winds  favor  us  we  may  yet 
cut  off  the  enemy's  retreat.  I  was,  last  evening,  hou- 


562  RISE   AND  PROGRESS  OF 

ored  with  your  despatch  of  the  15th  inst.  I  have  taken 
measures  in  relation  to  the  "23  prisoners,  who  are  to  be 
put  in  close  confinement. 

I  have  the  honor,  &c. 

H.  DEARBORN. 
Hon.  J.  Armstrong,  Sec'y  of  War. 

DEFENCE  OF  SACKETT'S  HARBOR. 

Extract  of  a  letter  from  Brig-.  Gen.   Jacob   Brown,  to  his   Ex.  Go?. 
Tompkins,  dated 

SackctPs  Harbor,  May  29  1813. 

We  were  attacked  at  the  dawn  of  this  day,  by  a  Brit 
ish  regular  force,  of  at  least  900  men,  (and  most  prob 
ably  1200:)  they  made  good  their  landing  at  Horse-Isl 
and.  The  enemy's  fleet  consisted  of  two  ships,  4 
schooners,  and  30  large  open  boats.  We  are  complete 
ly  victorious;  the  enemy  lost  a  considerable  number 
in  killed  and  wounded,  on  the  field  ;  among  the  number, 
several  officers  of  distinction.  After  having  re-em 
barked,  they  sent  me  a  flag,  desiring  to  have  their  killed 
and  wounded  attended  to  :  I  made  them  satisfied  on 
that  subject — Americans  will  be  distinguished  for  hu 
manity  and  bravery.  Our  loss  is  not  numerous,  but  se 
rious  from  the  great  worth  of  those  who  have  fallen.  Col. 
Mill  was  shot  dead  at  the  commencement  of  the  action  ; 
and  Col.  Backus,  of  the  light  dragoons,  nobly  fell  at 
the  head  of  his  regiment,  as  victory  was  declaring  for 
us.  I  will  not  presume  to  praise  this  regiment ; — much 
gallant  conduct  on  this  day,  deserves  more  than  praise. 
The  new  ship,  and  Com.  Chauncey's  prize,  the  Duke 
of  Gloucester,  are  yet  safe  in  Sackett's  Harbor.  Sir 
George  Prevost  landed,  and  commanded  in  person.  Sir 
James  L.  Yeo  commanded  the  enemy's  fleet. 
In  haste — Yours,  &c. 

JACOB  BROWN. 


THE  AMERICAN   NAVY, 


FURTHER  ACCOUNT. 

Extrnct  of  a  letter  from  Gen.  Brown,  to  the  Secretary  of  War,  dated 

Sacketfs  Harbor,  June  1 ,  1813. 
SIR, 

In  the  course  of  the  20th,  and  during  the  28th  and 
29th  ult.  a  considerable  militia  force  came  in,  and  were 
ordered  to  the  water-side,  near  Horse-Island,  on  which 
was  Lieut.  Col.  Mills,  and  his  volunteers.  Our  strength, 
at  this  point,  was  now  500  men,  all  anxious  for  battle, 
as  far  as  profession  would  go. 

The  moment  it  was  light  enough  to  discover  the  ap 
proach  of  the  enemy,  we  found  his  ships  in  line,  be 
tween  Horse-Island  and  Stonej-point,  and,  in  a  few  mi 
nutes  afterwards,  53  large  boats,  filled  with  troops,  came 
off  to  the  larger  Indian  or  Garden-Island,  under  cover 
of  the  fire  of  his  gun-boats. 

My  orders,  were,  that  the  troops  should  lie  close,  and 
reserve  their  fire,  until  the  enemy  had  approached  so  near 
that  every  shot  might  hit  its  object.  It  is,  however,  im 
possible  to  execute  such  orders  with  raw  troops,  unac 
customed  to  subordination.  My  orders  were,  in  this 
case,  disobeyed  ;  the  whole  line  fired,  and  not  without 
eflect  ;  but,  in  the  moment  while  I  was  contemplating 
this,  to  my  utter  astonishment,  they  rose  from  their 
cover  and  fled.  Col.  Mills  fell  gallantly,  in  brave,  but 
in  vain  endeavors  to  stop  his  men.  I  was,  personally, 
more  fortunate  : — gathering  together  about  100  militia, 
under  the  immediate  command  of  Capt.  M'Nitt,  of  that 
corps,  we  threw  ourselves  on  the  rear  of  the  enemy's 
left  flank,  and,  I  trust,  did  some  execution  ; — it  was  du 
ring  this  last  movement  that  the  regulars,  under  the  com 
mand  of  Col.  Backus,  first  engaged  the  enemy  ;  nor  was 
it  long  before  they  defeated  him.  Hurrying  to  this  point 
of  action,  I  found  the  battle  still  raging,  but  with  obvi 
ous  advantage  on  our  side.  The  result  of  the  action  so 
glorious  for  the  officers  and  soldiers  of  the  regular  army, 


264  RISE  AND  PROGRESS  OF 

has  already  been  c ommunicatcd.  in  my  letter  of  (he 
29th.  Had  not  Gen.  Prevosl  retreated,  most  rapidly 
under  the  puns  of  his  vessels,  he  would  never  have  re 
turned  to  Kingston. 

One  thing,  in  (his  business,  is  to  be  seriously  regret 
ted  ;  in  the  midst  of  the  conflict,  tire  was  ordered  to  be 
set  to  the  navy  barracks,  and 'stores.  This  was  owing 
to  the  infamous  conduct  of  those  who  brought  informa 
tion  to  Lieut.  Chauncry,  that  the  battle  was  lost  ;  and 
that,  to  prevent  the  stoies  frrm  falling  into  the  enemy's 
hands,  they  must  lie  destroyed.  fl  he  enemy's  force  con 
sisted  of  1000  picked  men,  led  by  Sir  George  Provost, 
in  person  ;  their  fit-el  consisted  of  the  new  ship  Wolf, 
the  Royal  George,  Prince  Recent,  Earl  Moira,  V  armed 
tchooners,  and  their  gun  and  other  boats.  Of  the  offi 
cers  who  distinguished  thcm?el\(  s,  1  cannot  but  repeat 
the  name  of  Lieut.  Col.  Backus,  who,  praised  be  God! 
yetlives.  Captain  M*Nitt's<  onduct  was  noble  ;  hewcll 
deserves  to  be  placed  in  the  regular  aimy.  Major 
Swan,  of  the  army,  served  as  my  Adjutant-General,  and 
was  highly  useful.  Lieutenant  Chauncey  is  a  brave  and 
honorable  man  ;  to  him  no  blame  can  attach,  for  what 
happened  at  Navy-point ;  he  was  deceived.  Lieut. 
Col.  Tuttle  was  in  march  for  this  post  ;  but  with  every 
exertion,  was  unable  to  reach  it.  in  time  to  take  part  in 
the  action  ;  this  is  felt,  by  the  Colonel,  and  every  offi 
cer  in  his  detachment,  as  a  misfortune.  At  the  moment 
I  am  closing  this  communication,  Commodore  Chaun 
cey  has  arrived  with  his  squadron  ;  this  renders  my  long« 
er  stay  here  unnecessary  ;  I  shall,  therefore,  immediate* 
\y  return  to  my  home. 

1  have  the  honor,  &c. 

J.  BROWN. 

Our  loss,  in  the  nbove  action  was  1 54, killed,  wound- 
ed  and  missing1.     The  enemy's  loss,   according  to  bk 
account,  in  killed  and  wounded,  was  150. 


THE  AMERICAN  NAVY. 


ROYAL  PROPERTY  CAPTUUED.   * 

"Copy  of  a  letter  from  Com.  Isaac  Chauncey,  to  the  Secretary  of  the 

Navy. 
[7.  S.  Ship  Madison, 

Sacketfs  Harbor,  4th  June,  1813. 
SIR, 

1  have  the  honor  to  present  to  you,  by  the  hands  of 
Lieut.  Dudley,  the  British  standard,  taken  at  York,  on 
the  27th  of  April  last,  accompanied  by  the  mace,  over 
which  was  hung  a  human  scalp  /  These  articles  were 
taken  from  the  Parliament-house,  by  one  of  my  officers, 
and  presented  to  me.  The  scalp  I  caused  to  be  pre 
sented  (o  General  Dearborn,  who,  I  believe,  still  has  it 
in  his  possession.  I  also  send,  by  the  same  gentleman, 
one  of  the  British  flags,  taken  at  fort  George,  on  the 
27th  of  May. 

I  have  the  honor,  &c. 

ISAAC  CHAUNCEY. 
Hon.  W.  Jones,  Sec.  of  the  Navy. 


INDIAN  DECLARATION  OF  WAR. 

[TRANSLATION.] 

July,  1813. 

DECLARATION  OF  WAR,  BY  THE  SIX  NATIONS. 

WE,  the  Chiefs  and  Councillors  of  the  Six  Nations  of 
Indians,  residing  in  the  state  of  New- York,  do  hereby 
proclaim,  to  all  the  War-Chiefs,  and  Warriors,  of  the 
Six  Nations,  that  war  is  declared,  on  our  part  against 
the  provinces  of  Upper  and  Lower  Canada.  There 
fore,  we  do  hereby  command,  and  advise  all  the  War- 
Chiefs  to  call  forth,  immediately,  the  Warriors  under 
23 


266  RISE  AND  PROGRESS  OF 

them,  and  put  them  in  motion,  to  protect  their  rights 
and  liberties,  which  our  brethren,  the   Americans,  are 
now  defending. 
(Signed) 

~  BY  THE  GRAND  COUNCILLORS. 


CHAPTER  XXII. 

General  Operations  CQntinued* 

On  the  1st  of  June,  Generals  Chandler  and  Winder 
were  detached  with  a  force  of  2600  men,  (just  double 
the  number  of  the  enemy,)  destroy  this  British  force. 
They  advanced  to  Stormy  Creek,  to  prepare  for  the  at 
tack  ;  but  the  enemy  anticipated  their  views  ;  commen 
ced  a  furious  attack  upon  their  camp,  in  dead  of  night, 
and  after  a  severe  conflict,  carried  their  two  generals  in 
to  captivity. 

The  Americans  lost  in  this  action,  16  killed,  38 
wounded,  and  100  missing,  including  their  two  generals. 

The  Britiih  loss  in  killed  and  wounded  could  never 
be  correctly  ascertained,  but  was  supposed  to  be  much 
greater,  as  the  Americans  took  100  prisoners. 

In  this  action  the  Americans  were  completely  sur 
prised  ;  the  British  rushed  to  close  combat,  at  the  point 
of  the  bayonet,  and  the  parties  were  commixed,  in  des 
perate  conflict,  under  cover  of  thick  darkness.  The 
two  generals,  with  undaunted  bravery,  in  attempting  to 
rally  and  form  their  troops,  were  surprised  and  taken 
by  the  enemy. 

Both  parties  withdrew  from  the  field,  and  both  claim 
ed  the  victory. 


THE  AMERICAN  NAVY.  267 


GEN's.  CHANDLER  AND  WINDER  TAKEN. 

Copy  of  a  letter  from  Major-General  Henry  Dearborn,  to  the   Secre 
tary  of  War,  dated 

Head-Quarters,  Fort   George, 

June  6th,   1813. 
SIR, 

I  have  received  an  express  from  the  head  of  the  lake, 
this  evening,  with  intelligence  that  our  troops,  com 
manded  by  Brig.  Gen.  Chandler,  were  attacked,  at  2 
o'clock  this  morning,  by  the  whole  of  the  British  and 
Indian  forces— and  by  some  fatality  ;  (though  our  loss 
did  not  exceed  30.)  and  the  enemy  completely  routed, 
and  driven  from  the  field— both  Generals  Chandler  and 
Winder,  were  taken  prisoners  ;  they  had  advanced  to 
ascertain  the  situation  of  a  company  of  artillery,  when 
the  attack  commenced.  General  Vincent  is  reported 
to  be  among  the  killed  of  the  enemy.  Colonel  Clark 
was  mortally  wounded,  and  fell  into  our  hands,  with  60 
prisoners  of  the  49th  British  regiment.  The  whole  loss 
of  the  enemy  is  250;  they  sent  in  a  flag,  with  a  request 
to  bury  their  dead.  Gen  Lewis,  accompanied  by  Gen. 
Boyd,  goes  on  to  take  the  command  of  the  advanced 
troops. 

I  have  fie  honor,  &c. 

H.  DEARBORN. 

Hon.  Gen.  J.  ARMSTRONG. 


HONOR  TO  THE  BRAVE. 

Copy  of  a  letter  from  Major-General  Henry  Dearborn,  to  the  Sec 
retary  of  War,  dated 

Head-Quarters,  June  8th,  1813. 
SIR, 

I  hasten  to  state  to  you,  that  the  whole  of  our  officers 
and  men  discovered,  in  the  action  of  the  27th  ult.  that 


268  R*SE  AND  PROGRESS  OF 

readiness  and  ardor  for  action,  which  evinced  a  deter 
mination  to  do  honor  to  themselves,  and  their  country. 
The  animating  examples,  set  by  Gen.  Boyd  and  Col. 
Scott,  deserve  particular  mention.  I  am  greatly  in 
debted  to  Col.  Porter,  of  the  light  artillery  ;  to  Major 
Armistead,  of  the  3d  reg.  artillery  ;  and  to  Lieut.  Tot- 
ten,,  of  the  engineer  corps,  for  their  judicious  and  skil 
ful  execution,  in  demolishing  the  enemy's  fort  and  bat 
teries.  The  officers  of  •  the  artillery,  who  had  the  di 
rection  of  the  guns,  generally,  are  very  deserving. 
I  have  the  honor,  &c. 

H.  DEARBORN. 
Hon.  J.  ARMSTRONG. 

Our  loss  in  the  above  action,  was  150,  in  killed  and 
wounded  The  enemy's,  lossr  in  killed,  wounded,  and 
taken,  was  393. 


FURTHER,  OF  CHANDLER  AND  WINDER. 

Copy  of  a  letter  from   Maj.  Gen.  Lewis,  to  the  Secretary  of  War. 

Niagara,  June    14,  1313. 
SIR, 

You  will  perceive,  by  the  enclosed  copy  of  order?., 
marked  I.  that  Gen.  Dearborn,  from  indisposition,  has 
resigned  his  command,  not  only  of  the  Niagara  armyr 
but  of  the  district.  I  have  doubts  whether  he  will  ever 
again,  be  fit  for  service.  He  has  repeatedly  been  in  a 
state  of  convalescence,  but  relapses  on  the  least  agita 
tion  of  mind. 

In  my  last,  I  mentioned  the  unfortunate  circumstan 
ces  of  the  capture  of  our  two  Brigadiers,  Chandler  and 
Winder  ;  the  particulars  are  detailed  in  the  report  of 
Col.  Burn,  which  he  gives  from  the  best  information  he 
could  collect  ;  his  corps  lay  a  considerable  distance 
from  the  scene  of  active  operation,  as  you  will  perceive 


THE  AMERICAN  NAVY.  269 

By  the  enclosed  diagram,  which  is  on  a  scale  of  100 
yards  to  the  inch.  The  light  corps,  spoken  of,  were 
Captains  Hindman's,  Biddle's,  and  Nicholas1,  compa 
nies,  of  the  2d  artillery,  serving  as  infantry.  These 
three  gentlemen,  and  Capts.  Archer  and  Towson,  of 
the  same  regiment,  and  Leonard  of  the  light  artillery, 
are  soldiers,  who  would  honor  any  service  ;  their  gal 
lantry,  and  that  of  their  companions,  was  equally  con 
spicuous,  on  this  occasion,  as  in  the  affair  of  the  27th 
ult.  A  view  of  Gen.  Chandler's  encampment  will  be 
sufficient  to  show,  that  his  disaster  was  owing  to  its  ar 
rangement — its  centre  being  its  weakest  point,  and  that 
being  discovered  by  the  enemy,  in  the  evening,  received 
the  combined  attack  of  his  whole  force,  and  his  line  was 
completely  cut.  The  gallantry  of  the  5th,  25th,  and 
part  of  the  23d,  and  light  troops,  saved  the  army,  Of 
the  5th,  it  is  said,  that,  when  the  day  broke,  not  a  man 
was  missing  ;  and,  that  a  part  of  the  23d,  under  Major 
Armstrong,  was  found  sustaining  its  left  flank  ;  their  fire 
was  irresistible,  and  the  enemy  was  compelled  to  give 
way.  Could  lie  have  been  pressed,  the  next  morning, 
his  destruction  was  inevitable  ;  he  was  dispersed  in  eve 
ry  direction,  and  even  his  commanding  general  was  mis 
sing,  without  his  hat  or  horse.  I  understand  he  was 
found  the  next  morning,  at  a-distance  of  four  miles  from 
the  scene  of  action. 

Lieut.  M'Chesney's  gallantry  recovered  a  piece  of 
artillery,  and  prevented  the  capture  of  others  ; — he 
merits  promotion  for  it. 

On  the  evening  of  the  6th  of  June,  I  received  the  or 
der  No.  4,  and  joined  the  army  at  5  in  the  afternoon  of 
the  7th.  I  found  it  at  the  Forty  Mile  Creek,  10  miles 
in  the  rear  of  the  ground  on  which  it  had  been  attacked, 
encamped  on  a  plain,  of  about  a  mile  in  width,  with  its 
right  flank  on  the  lake,  and  its  left  on  a  creek,  whick 
skirts  a  perpendicular  mountain,  of  a.  considerable 
heighth. — On  my  route,  1  received  Nos.  5  and  6,  en- 
closed. 

23*- 


270  RISE  AND  PROGRESS  OF 

At  6  in  the  evening,  the  hostile  fleet  hove  in  sight* 
though  its  character  could  not  be  ascertained  with  pre 
cision.  We  lay  on  our  arms  all  night — at  dawn  of  day, 
struck  our  tents,  and  descried  the  hostile  squadron 
abreast  of  us,  about  a  mile  from  the  shore.  Our  boats, 
which  transported  the  principal  part  of  our  baggage,  and 
camp  equipage,  lay  on  the  beach — it  was  a  dead  calm  ; 
and,  about  6,  the  enemy  towed  in  a  large  schooner, 
which  opened  her  fire  on  our  boats.  As  soon  as  she 
stood  for  the  shore,  her  object  being  evident,  I  ordered 
down  Archer's  and  Towson's  companies,  with  four  pie 
ces  of  artillery,  to  resist  her  attempts  ;  I»  at  the  same 
time,  sent  Capt.  Totten,  of  the  engineers,  (a  most  valu 
able  officer,)  to  construct  a  temporary  furnace,  for  heat 
ing  shot  ;  which  was  prepared,  and  in  operation,  in  less  30 
minutes.  Her  fire  was  returned  with  vivacity  and  effect 
(excelled  by  no  artillery  in  the  universe,)  which  soon 
compelled  her  to  retire. 

A  party  of  savges  now  made  their  appearance,  on 
the  brow  of  the  mountain,  (which,  being  perfectly  baldr 
exhibited  them  to  our  view,)  and  commenced  a  fire  on 
our  camp.  I  ordered  Col.  Chrtstie  to  dislodge  them,. 
who  entered  on  the  service  with  alacrity — but  found 
himself  anticipated  by  Lieut.  Eldridge.  the  adjutant  of 
his  regiment,  who,  with  a  promptness  and  gallantry 
highly  honorable  to  that  young  officer,  had  already  gain 
ed  the  summit  of  the  mountain,  with  a  party  of  volun 
teers,  ajid  routed  the  barbarian  allies  of  the  defender 
of  the  Christian  faith; — this  young  man  merits  the 
notice  of  government. 

These  little  affairs  cost  us  not  a  man.  Sir  James  L. 
Yeo,  being  disappointed  of  a  tragedy,  next  determined, 
in  true  dramatic  style,  to  amuse  us  with  a  farce :— an 
officer,  with  a  flag,  was  sent  to  me,  from  his  ship,  ad 
vising  me,  that,  as  I  was  invested  with  savages  in  my 
rear,  a  fleet  in  my  front,  and  a  powerful  army  on  my 
flank,  he,  and  the  officers  commanding  his  Britan 
nic  majesty's  land  forces,  thought  it  their  duty  to  de- 


THE  AMERICAN  NAVY.'  271 

rnand  a  surrender  of  my  army.     I  answered,  that  the 
message  was  too  ridiculous  to  merit  a  reply. 

No.  7  was  delivered  to  me,  at  about  6,  this  morn 
ing. — Between  7  and  8  o'clock,  the  four  waggons  we 
had,  beins;  loaded  first  with  the  sick,  and  next  with  am 
munition,^*  &c.  the  residue  of  camp  equipage  and  bag 
gage  was  put  in  the  boats,  and  a  detachment  of  200 
men,  of  the  6th  regiment,  detailed  to  proceed  in  them. 
Orders  were  prepared,  to  be  given  them,  to  defend  the 
boats;  and,  if  assailed  by  any  of  the  enemy's  small 
vessels,  to  carry  them  by  boarding  ;  by  some  irregulari- 
tv,  which  1  have  not  been  able  to  discover,  the  boats 
put  off  without  the  detachments,  induced,  probably,  by 
the  stillness  of  the  morning.  When  they  had  progres 
sed  about  three  miles,  a  breeze  sprung  up,  and  an 
armed  schooner  overhauled  them  : — those  who  were 
enterprising,  kept  on,  and  escaped  ;  others  ran  to  the 
shore,  and  deserted  their  boats — we  lost  12  of  the  num 
ber,  principally  containing  the  baggage  of  the  officer* 
and  men. 

At  1.0,  I  put  our  army  in  motion,  on  our  return  to  this 
place  ;  the  savages,  and  incorporated  militia,  hung  on 
our  flanks  and  rear,  throughout  the  march,  and  picked 
up  a  few  stragglers.  On  our  retiring,  the  British  army 
advanced,  and,  now  occupies  the  ground  we  lei'fc. 

The  enemy'?!  licet  is  constantly  hovering  on  our 
coast,  and  interrupting  our  supplies.  The  night  before 
last,  having  been  advised  that  they  had  chased  into 
Eighteen  Mile  Creek,  two  vessels  laden  with  hospital 
stores,  &c.  I  detached,  at  midnight,  75  men,  for  their 
protection.  The  report  of  the  day  is,  though  not  offi 
cial,  that  they  arrived  too  late  for  their  purpose,  and  that 
the  stores  are  lost. 

I  have  the  honor,  £c. 

MORGAN  LEWIS. 
Hon.  J..  Armstrong, 


272  RHE  AND  PROGRESS  OF 

NUMBERS  5— Referred  to  in  the  Report  of  GEN.  LEWIS— viz. 

Niaga ?Y/,  Jn e  6,  1813. 
DEAR  GENERAL, 

A  ship  having  appeared  this  morning,  steering  to 
wards  the  head  of  the  lake,  which  is  undoubtedly 
one  of  the  enemy's  ships  ;  and,  as  others  are  appearing, 
you  will  please  to  return  with  the  troops,  to  this  place, 
as  soon  as  possible. 

Yours,  with  esteem. 

H.  DEARBORN. 

P.  S.  The  object  of  the  enemy's  fleet  must  be,  ei 
ther  to  cover  the  retreat  of  their  troops,  or  to  bring  on 
a  reinforcement. 

H.  D. 

Maj.  Gen.  Lewis. 

In  an  action  of  the  Gth  of  June,  at  Stoney  Preek, 
there  was  17  killed,  and  38  wounded,  and  50  missing — - 
making  a  total  of  105,  killed  wounded,  and  missing. 


CHAPTER  XXIII. 

G Mitral  Operations  Continued.. 

General  Dearborn,  detached  Colonel  Boerstler  with 
500  men,  to  dislodge  the  British  at  La  Louvre  House, 
(so  called  ;)  but  unfortunately,  he  fell  into  an  Indian  am 
buscade,  and  was  taken  with  all  his  party. 


THE  AMERICAN  NAVY.  073 


COL.   BOERSTLER'd  SURRENDER. 

Copy  of  a  letter  from  Maj.  Gen.  Henry  Dearborn,   to  the   Secretary 
of  War,  dated 

Head-Quarters,  Fort  George, 

June  25,   1813. 
SIR, 

I  have  the  mortification  of  informing  you  of  an  un 
fortunate  and  unaccountable  event,  which  occurred 
vesterchv.  On  the  23d.  at  evening.  Lieut.  Col.  Boerst- 

},/ 
er,  with  570  men,  (Infantry,  artillery,  cavalry,  and  ri 
flemen,  in  due  proportion,)  was  ordered  to  march,  bj 
way  of  Queenstowri,  to  a  place  called  the  Beaver-Dams, 
on  the  high  ground,  about  8  or  9  miles  from  Queens- 
town,  to  attack  and  disperse  a  body  of  the  enemy,  col 
lected  there  for  the  purpose  of  procuring  provisions,  and 
harassing  those  inhabitants  who  are  considered  friendly 
to  the  U.  States. 

Their  force  was,  from  the  most  direct  information, 
composed  of  one  company  of  the  104th  regiment,  above 
80  strong;  from  150  to  200  militia,  and  from  50  to 
60  Indians.  At  8  o'clock  yesterday  morning,  when 
within  about  two  miles  of  the  Beaver-Dams,  our  de 
tachment  was  attacked  from  an  ambuscade,  but  soon 
drove  the  enemy  some  distance  into  the  woods,  and  then 
retired  to  a  clear  field,  and  sent  an  express  for  a  rein 
forcement  ;  saying,  he  would  maintain  his  position,  un 
til  reinforced.  A  reinforcement  of  300  men  marched 
immediately,  under  the  command  of  Col.  Chrystie  ;  but, 
on  arriving  at  Queenstown,  Col.  Chrystie  received  au 
thentic  information,  that  Lieut.  Col.  Boerstler,  with  hii 
command  had,  surrendered  to  the  enemy,  and  the  rein 
forcement  returned  to  camp.  A  man  who  belonged 
to  a  small  corps  of  mounted  volunteer  riflemen,  came  in 
this  morning,  who  states^  that  the  enemy  surrrounded 
our  detachment  in  the  woods  ;and,  towards  12  o'clock, 


274  RISE  AND  PROGRESS  OF 

commenced  a  general  attack  ;  that  our  troops  fought 
more  than  two  hours,  until  the  artillery  had  expended 
nil  its  ammunition,  and  then  surrendered  ;  and,  at  the 
time  of  the  surrender;  the  informant  made  his  escape. 

Why  it  should  have  been  deemed  proper  t^  remain, 
several  hours  in  a  position  surrounded  with  woods,  with 
out  either  risking  a  decisive  action,  or  effecting  a  retreat, 
remains  to  be  accounted  for,  as  well  as  as  the  project  of 
waiting  for  a  reinforcement,  from  a  distance  of  15 
miles.  No  information  has  been  received  of  the  killed 
or  wounded.  The  enemy's  fleet  has  again  arrived  in 
our  neighborhood. 

I  am,  &c. 

II.  DEARBORN. 

Hon.  J.  ARMSTRONG. 

Sec.    War. 


ESCAPE    OF  MAJOR  CHAPIN. 

Copy  ot   a  letter  from  Major  Chapin  to  Gen.  Dearborn,   dateJ 

Fort  George,  July   13,   1813. 
SIR, 

I  have  just  returned  from  my  confinement  in  Canada, 
without  parole.  Our  return  happened  in  the  following 
marmer: — T  received  orders  at  Burlington  Heights,  on 
Monday  morning,  to  go  to  Kingston  ;  we  set  off  accord 
ingly,  under  the  care  of  16  men;  I  had,  with  me,  28 
men.  We  all  went  on  very  quietly,  till  4  o'clock  in  the 
afternoon  ;  at  which  time.  I  gave  a  signal  to  attack  the 
guard,  which  were  stationed  in  the  following  order  :  a 
sergeant,  and  one  man,  in  the  boat  with  my  men  ;  a 
Lieutenant,  and  13  men,  in  the  boat  with  me  and  two 
officers.  At  the  signal,  my  men  ran  along  side  of  the 
hoat  I  was  in  ;  Lieut.  Showers  ordered  them  to  fall 
astern — 1  ordered  them  on  board  ;  at  which  time  the 
o/licer  attempted  to  draw  his  sword  :  I  seized  him  by 


THE  AMERICAN  NAVY.  275 

the  neck,  and  threw  him  on  his  hack  ;*  two  of  his  men 
drew  their  bayonets  upon  me  :  I  immediately  seized 
both  bayonets,  at  the  same  instant,  and  threw  them  on 
top  of  the  officer — and  kept  all  down  together  ;  at  the 
same  moment,  my  men  seized  the  guard,  and  wrested 
from  them  their  arms.  We  then,  having  possession  of  the 
arms,  changed  our  course,  and  arrived  here  this  morn 
ing,  all  safe.  We  have  brought  two  boats  with  us. 
I  have  the  honor,  &c. 

CYRENUS  CHAPIN. 
Ma>  Gen.  DEARBORN. 


CHAPTER   XXIV. 
General  Operations  Continued. 

General  Dearborn,  by  reason  of  indisposition,  retir 
ed  from  the  command  at  this  time,  and  was  succeeded 
by  Gen.  Lewis.  The  following  official  reports  will 
shew  the  movements  that  followed  under  his  command. 

PROCEEDINGS  ON  LAKE  ONTA  KIO. 

Extract  of  a  lett-e  rfrom    iMajor-General  Lewis,  lo   the  Secretary   of 
War,  dated 

Sacketfs  Harbor,  July  20,  1813. 
Our  fleet  has  gone  out  of  the  inner  harbor,  and  ap 
pearances  are  in  favor  of  its  going  to  sea,  in  48  hours, 
at  farthest. — A  little  expedition,  of  volunteers  from  the 
country,  to  which,  by  the  advice  of  Commodore  Chaun- 
cey,  I  lent  40  soldiers,  sailed  from  hence  three  days 
since,  on  board  of  two  small  row-boats,  with  a  6  pound 
er,  each,  to  the  head  of  the  St.  Lawrence,  where  they 
captured  a  fine  gun  boat,  mounting  a  24  pounder  ;  14 


276  RISE  AND  PROGRESS  OF 

batteaux,  loaded  ;  4  officers,  and  16  men.     Two  of  our 
schooners  have  gone  out  to  convoy  them  in  ;  the  pris 
oners  have  been  landed,  and  are  coming  on,    'under 
charge  of  a  detachment  of  dragoons. 
I  have  the  honor,  &c. 

M.  LEWIS. 


FURTHER  PROCEEDINGS. 

Copy  of  a  letter  from  Commodore  Chauncey,  to  the  Secretary  of  the 
Navy,  dated  * 

U.  S.  S.  Gen.  Pike,  at  anchor,  off  Niagara,  Aug.  4,  1813. 
SIR, 

After  leaving  Sackett's  Harbor,  I  stretched  over  for 
the  enemy's  shore,  and  from  thence  stood  up  the  lake. 
The  winds  being  light,  I  did  not  arrive  off  this  port  un 
til  the  evening  of  the  27th  ult.  On  the  24th,  I  fell  in 
with  the  Lady  of  the  Lake,  on  her  return  to  Sackett's 
Harbor,  with  prisoners,  from  fort  George.  I  transfer 
red  the  prisoners  to  the  Raven,  and  ordered  her  to  Sack 
ett's  Harbor  ;  the  Lady  of  the  Lake,  I  despatched  to 
fort  George  for  guides,  for  the  head  of  the  lake. 
Gen.  Boyd  having  informed  me,  that  the  enemy  had  a 
considerable  deposit  of  provisions  and  stores  at  Bur 
lington  Bay,  1  was  determined  to  attempt  their  destruc 
tion.  On  the  25th,  I  was  joined  by  the  Pert,  and  on 
the  27th,  by  the  Lady  of  the  Lake,  with  guides,  and 
Capt.  Crane's  company  of  artillery,  and  Col.  Scott, 
who  had  very  handsomely  volunteered  for  the  service. 
After  conversing  with  Col.  Scott  on  the  subject,  it  was 
thought  advisable  to  take  on  board  250  infantry — which 
were  embarked  by  6  o'clock  next  morning,  and  the  fleet 
immediately  proceeded  for  the  head  of  the  lake  ;  but, 
owing  to  light  winds,  and  calms,  we  did  not  arrive  to  an 
anchorage  before  the  evening  of  the  29th.  We  sent 
two  parties  on  shore,  and  surprized  and  took  some  of 
the  inhabitants  ;  from  whom  we  learned,  that  the  ene- 


THE  AMERICAN  NAVY.  577 

my  had  received  considerable  reinforcements,  within  a 
day  or  two  ;  and  that  his  force,  in  the  regulars,  was 
from  600  to  800  men.  We,  however,  landed  the  troops 
and  marines,  and  some  sailors,  next  morning,  and  recon- 
noitered  the  enemy's  position — found  him  posted  upon  a 
peninsula  of  very  high  ground,  strongly  entrenched,  and 
his  camp  defended  by  about  8  pieces  of  cannon.  In  this 
situation,  it  was  thought  not  advisable  to  attack  him,  with 
a  force  scarcely  half  his  numbers,  and  without  artillery  ; 
we  were  also  deficient  in  boats,  not  having  a  sufficient 
number  to  cross  the  bay,  with  all  the  troops  at  the  same 
time.  The  men  were  all  re-embarked,  in  the  course  of 
the  afternoon  ;  and,  in  the  evening,  we  weighed,  and 
stood  for  York — arrived,  and  anchored  in  that  harbor,  at 
about  3,  P.  M.  on  the  31st  ult. — run  the  schooners  into 
the  upper  harbor  ;  landed  the  marines  and  soldiers,  un 
der  command  of  Col.  Scott,  without  opposition  ;  found 
several  hundred  barrels  of  flour,  and  provisions,  in  the 
public  store-house  ;  five  pieces  of  cannon,  eleven  boats, 
and  a  quantity  of  shot,  shells,  and  other  stores  ;  all 
which  were  either  destroyed  or  brought  away.  On 
the  1st  instant,  just  after  having  received  on  board  all 
that  the  vessels  could  take,  I  directed  the  barracks,  and 
public  stores,  to  be  burnt ;  we  then  re-embarked  the 
men,  and  arrived  at  this  place  yesterday.  Four  or  five 
hundred  men  left  York,  for  the  head  of  the  lake,  two 
days  before  we  arrived  there.  A  few  prisoners  were 
taken  ;  a  part  of  them  were  paroled — the  others  were 
left  at  fort  George. 

I  have  the  honor,  <£-c. 

I.  CHAUNCEY. 
Hon.  Sec'y.  Navy. 


General  Proctor  at  the  same  time,  at  the  head  of  a 
strong  party  of  regulars,  Canadians  and  Indians,  at 
tempted  to  surprise  fort  Meigs,  on  the  Miami  of  the 

24 


278  RISE  AND  PROGRESS  OF 

lake,  and  port  Stephenson,  on  the  Sanduskj,  both  of 
which  failed  ;  but  at  the  latter,  the  enemy  met  with  de 
feat  arxl  disgrace. 

DEFENCE  OF  LOWER  SANDUSKY. 

Copy  of  a  letter  from  Major  Croghan,  to  Gen.  Harrison,  dated. 

Lozver  Sandusky,  August  5,  1813. 
DEAR  SIR, 

I  have  the  honor  to  inform  you,  that  the  combined 
force  of  the  enemy,  amounting  to,  at  least,  500  regulars, 
and  as  many  Indians,  under  the  immediate  command  of 
Gen.  Proctor,  made  its  appearance  before  this  place, 
early  on  Sunday  evening  last ;  and,  so  soon  as  the  Gen 
eral  had  made  such  dispositions  of  his  troops,  as  would 
cut  off  my  retreat,  (should  I  be  disposed  to  make  one.) 
he  sent  Col.  Elliot,  accompanied  by  Major  Chambers, 
with  a  flag,  to  demand  the  surrender  of  the  fort,  as  he 
was  anxious  to  spare  the  effusion  of  blood ;  which  he 
should  probably  not  have  in  his  power  to  do,  should  he 
be  reduced  to  the  necessity  of  taking  the  place  by  storm. 
My  answer  to  the  summons  was,  that  I  was  determined 
to  defend  the  place,  to  the  last  extremity  and  that  no  force, 
however  large,  should  induce  me  to  surrender  it.  So 
goon  as  the  flag  had  returned,  a  brisl^iire  was  opened 
upon  us,  from  the  gun-boats,  in  the  river,  and  from  a 
rive  and  a  half  inch  howitzer,  on  shore,  which  was  kept 
up  with  little  intermission,  throughout  the  night.  At  an 
early  hour,  the  next  morning,  three  sixes,  (which  had 
been  placed,  during  the  night,  within  250  yards  of  the 
pickets,)  began  to  play  upon  us — but  with  little  effect. 
About  4  o'clock,  P.  M.  discovering  that  the  fire,  from 
all  his  gun?,  was  concentrated  against  the  N.  W.  angle  of 
^he  fort,  1  became  confident  that  his  object  was  to  make 
a  breach,  and  attempt  to  storm  the  works  at  that  point : 
I,  therefore,  ordered  out  as  many  men,  as  could  be  em 
ployed,  for  the  purpose  of  strengthening  that  part — 


THE  AMERICAN  NAVY.    .  $79 

which  was  so  effectually  secured,  by  means  of  bags  of 
flour,  sand,  &c.  that  the  picketing  suffered  little  or  no 
injury;  notwithstanding  which,  the  enemy,  about  500, 
having  formed  in  close  column,  advanced  to  assault  our 
works,  at  the  expected  point;  at  the  same  time  making 
two  feints  on  the  front  of  Capt.  Hunter's  lines.  The 
column,  which  advanced  against  the  north-western  an 
gle,  consisting  of  about  350  men,  was  so  completely  en 
veloped  in  smoke,  as  not  to  be  discovered,  until  it  had 
approached  within  18  or  20  paces  of  the  line;  but,  the 
men  being  all  at  their  posts,  and  ready  to  receive  it, 
commenced  so  heavy  and  galling  afire,  as  to  throw  the 
column  a  little  into  confusion  ;  being  quickly  rallied,  it 
advanced  to  the  outworks,  and  began  to  leap  into  the 
ditch  ;  just  at  that  moment,  a  fire  of  grape  was  opened, 
from  our  6  pounder,  (which  had  been  previously  arran 
ged,  so  as  to  rake  in  that  direction,)  which,  together 
with  the  musquetry,  threw  them  into  such  confusion, 
that  they  were  compelled  to  retire,  precipitately,  to  the 
woods. — During  the  assault,  which  lasted  about  half 
an  hour,  an  incessant  (ire  was  kept  up  by  the  enemy's  ar 
tillery,  (which  consisted  of  five  sixes,  and  a  howitzer,) 
but  without  effect.  My  whole  loss,  during  the  siege, 
was  one  killed,  and  seven  slightly  wonnded.  The  loss 
of  the  enemy,  in  killed,  wounded  and  prisoners,  must 
exceed  150.  One  Lieut.  Colonel,  a  Lieutenant,  and  50 
rank  and  file  were  found  in  and  about  the  ditch,  dead  or 
wounded  ;  those  of  the  remainder,  who  were  not  able  to 
escape,  were  taken  off,  during  the  night,  by  the  Indians. 
Seventy  stand  of  arms,  and  several  brace  of  pistols, 
have  been  collected  near  the  wojks.  About  3,  in  the 
morning,  the  enemy  sailed  down  vne  river,  leaving  be» 
hind  them  a  boat,  containing  cloth  i"ng»  an^  considerable 
military  stores. 

Too  much  praise  cannot  be  bestowed  on  the  officers, 
non-commissioned  officers,  and  privates,  under  my  com- 


280  RISE  AND  PROGRESS  OF 

mand,  for  their  gallantry,  and  good  conduct,  during;  the 
siege.  Yours,  with  respect. 

G.  CROGHAN,  Maj.  17th  U.  S.  Inf.  Comg. 

Governor  Huntington,  in  a  letter  to  the  P.  Master 
General,  states  the  force  of  Maj.  Croghan  to  have  been 
but  160  men! 


CHAPTER  XXV. 

General  Operations  Continued. 
PERRY'S  VICTORY. 

The  general  movements  for  the  reduction  of  Cana 
da,  were  now  completed  ;  the  fleets  on  lake  Erie  and 
Ontario,  were  about  equal,  and  ready  for  action.  The 
American  forces  under  general  Harrison,  moved  to 
wards  Detroit.  An  action  commenced  at  the  same 
time,  on  lake  Erie,  between  the  American  fleet,  under 
the  command  of  commodore  Perry,  and  the  British 
fleet,  under  the  command  of  commodore  Barclay,  Sep 
tember  10,  1813. 

The  fleets  were  nearly  equal.*  Commodore  Barclay, 
an  old,  experienced  officer,  in  the  school  of  Nelson, 
had  seen  much  service.  Commodore  Perry  was  a 
young  ofticer,  and  without  much  experience. 

The  conflict  commenced  on  the  part  of  the  enemy, 
about  noon  ;  the  action  soon  became  general  and  des 
perate.  Commodore  Perry's  ship,  (Lawrence)  being 
disabled,  he  changed  his  flag  on  board  the  Niagara,  in 

*The  British  force  consisted  of  five  vessels  and  G3  guns.  The 
American  force  of  nine  vessels  and  54  guns. 


THE  AMERICAN  N A VT,  28? 

an  open  boat,  in  the  heat  of  the  action,  and  at  once 
bore  down  upon  the  enemy  ;  broke  through  their  line,, 
and  the  fleets  were  closely  engaged.  The  action  was 
short  and  terrible.  The  whole  British  squadron  surren 
dered  to  commodore  Perry. 

The  commodore  announced  this    victory  to  general 
Harrison,  in  the  following  style  : 

4i  Dear  general — We  have  met  the   enemy  and  they 
are  ours.     Two  ships,  two  brigs  and  one  sloop. 
Yours  with  respect  and  esteem, 

O.  H.  PERRY. 

September  10th,   1813." 


FURTHER  ACCOUNT. 

Copy  of  a  letter  from  Commodore  Perry,    to   the   Secretary  of  the 
Navy. 

U.  States  schooner  Ariel  ^ 

Pnt-in-Bay,  3th,  Sept.    1813. 
SIR, 

In  my  last,  I  informed  you  that  we  had  captured  the 
enemy's  fleet,  on  this  lake.  1  have  now  the  honor  to 
give  you  the  most  important  particulars  of  the  action  : 
On  the  morning  of  the  10th  instant,  at  sun-rise,  they 
were  discovered  in  Put-in-Bay,  when  I  iay  at  anchor, 
with  the  squadron  under  my  command.  We  got  under 
weigh,  the  wind  light  at  S/W.  and  stood  for  them  ; — at 
10,  A.  M.  the  wind  hauled  to  S.  E.  and  brought  us  to 
windward  ;.  formed  the  line,  and  bore  up.  At  15  min 
utes  before  1 2,  the  enemy  commenced  firing ;  at  5  min 
utes  before  12  the  action  commenced  on  our  part. 
Finding  their  fire  very  destructive,  owing  to  their  long 
guns,  and  its  being  mostly  directed  at  the  Lawrence,  F 
made  sail,  and  directed  the  other  vessels  to  follow,  for 
the  purpose  of  closing  with"  the  enemy — every  brace 
and  bow  line  being  soon  shot  away,  she  became  un- 


282  RISE   AND  PROGRESS  OF 

manageable,  notwithstanding  the  great  exertions  of  the 
sailing-master.  In  this  situation,  she  sustained  the  ac 
tion  upwards  of  two  hours,  within  canister  distance, 
until  every  gun  was  rendered  useless,  and  the  greater 
part  of  the  crew  either  killed  or  wounded.  Finding 
she  could  no  longer  annoy  the  enemy,  I  left  her  in 
charge  of  Lieut.  Yarnell,  who.  I  was  convinced,  by  the 
bravery  already  displayed  by  him,  would  do  what  would 
comport  with  the  honor  of  the  flag.  At  half  past  2, 
the  wind  springing  up,  Captain  Elliot  was  enabled  to 
bring  his  vessel,  the  Niagara,  gallantly  into  close  action  ; 
I  immediately  went  on  board  of  her  when  he  anticipa 
ted  my  wish,  by  volunteering  to  bring  the  schooners, 
which  had  been  kept  astern  by  the  lightness  of  the 
wind,  into  close  action. 

It  was  with  unspeakable  pain  that  1  saw,  soon  after 
I  got  on  board  of  the  Niagara,  the  flag  of  the  Lawrence 
comedown  >  although  I  was  perfectly  sensible  that  she 
had  been  defended  to  the  last,  and  that  to  have  conti 
nued  to  make  a  show  of  resistance,  would  have  been  a 
wanton  sacrifice  of  the  remains  of  her  brave  crew.  But 
the  enemy  was  not  able  to  take  possession  of  her,  and 
circumstances  soon  permitted  her  flag  again  to  be  hois 
ted.  At  45  minutes  past  2,  the  signal  was  made  for 
"  close  action  ;''  the  Niagara  being  very  little  injured,  I 
determined  to  pass  through  the  enemy's  line — bore  up, 
and  passed  ahead  of  their  two  ships,  and  a  brig,  giving 
a  raking  tire  to  them,  from  the  starboard  guns,  and  to 
a  large  schooner,  and  sloop,  from  the  larboard  side, 
at  half  pistol-shot  distance.  The  smaller  vessels,  at 
this  time,  having  got  within  grape  and  canister  distance, 
under  the  direction  of  Capt.  Elliot,  and  keeping  up  a 
well  directed  fire,  the  two  ships,  a  brig,  and  a  schooner 
surrendered  ;  a  schooner  and  sloop  making  a  vain  at 
tempt  to  escape. 

Those  officers  and  men,  who  were  immediately  un 
der  my  observation,  evinced  the  greatest  gallantry  ;  and, 
1  have  no  doubt  but  all  others  conducted  themselves  a« 


THE  AMERICAN  NAVY.  283 

became  American  officers  and  seamen.  Lieut.  Yar- 
nell,  1st  of  the  Lawrence,  although  several  times 
wounded,  refused  to  quit  the  deck.  Midshipman  For 
est,  (doing  duty  as  Lieutenant,)  and  sailing-master  Tay 
lor,  were  of  great  assistance  to  me.  I  have  great  pain, 
in  stating  to  you  the  death  of  Lieut.  Brook,  of  the  ma 
rines,  and  Midshipman  Laub,  both  of  the  Lawrence, 
and  Midshipman  John  Clark,  of  the  Scorpion  ;  they 
were  valuable  and  promising  officers.  Mr.  Hamilton, 
Purser,  who  volunteered  his  services  on  deck,  was  se 
verely  wounded,  late  in  the  action.  Midshipman  Clax- 
ton,  and  Swartwout,  of  the  Lawrence,  were  severely 
wounded.  On  hoard  the  Niagara,  Lieutenants  Smith 
and  Edwards,  and  Midshipman  Webster,  (doing  duty 
as  sailing-master,)  behaved  in  a  very  handsom^  manner. 
Captain  Brcvoort,  of  the  army,  who  acted  as  a  volun 
teer,  in  the  capacity  of  a  marine  officer,  on  board  that 
vessel,  is  an  excellent  and  brave  officer  ;  and,  with  his 
musquetry,  did  great  execution.  Lieut.  Turner,  com 
manding  the  Caledonia,  brought  that  vessel  into  action 
in  the  most  able  manner,  and  is  an  officer,  in  all  situa 
tions,  that  may  be  relied  on. 

The  Ariel,  Lieut.  Packet,  and  Scorpion,  sailing-mas 
ter  Champlin,  were  enabled  to  get  early  into  action,  and 
were  of  great  service.  Capt.  Elliot  speaks  in  the  high 
est  terms  of  Mr.  Magrath,  Purser,  who  had  been  des 
patched  in  a  boat,  on  service,  previous  to  my  getting 
on  board  the  Niagara  ;  and,  being  a  seaman,  since  the 
action  has  rendered  essential  service  in  taking  charge 
of  one  of  the  prizes. 

Of  Capt.  Elliot,  already  so  well  known  to  the  gov 
ernment,  it  would  be  almost  superfluous  to  speak  : — in 
this  action,  he  evinced  his  characteristic  bravery  and 
judgement;  and,  since  the  close  of  the  action,  has  given 
me  the  most  able  and  essential  assistance. 

I  have  the  honor  to  enclose  you  a  return  of  the  kil 
led  and  wounded,  together  with  a  statement  of  the  rela 
tive  force  of  the  squadron.  The  Capt..  and  1st  Lieut 


S84  RISE  AND  PROGRESS  OF 

of  the  Queen  Charlotte,  and  1st  Lieut,  of  the  Detroit, 
were  killed.  Capt.  Barclay,  senior  officer,  and  the 
commander  of  the  Lady  Prevost  severely  wounded. 
The  commander  of  the  Hunter  and  Chippewa,  slightly 
wounded.  Their  loss,  in  killed  and  wounded,  I  have 
not  been  able  to  ascertain  ;  it  must,  however,  have  been 
very  great. 

I  have  caused  the  prisoners,  taken  on  the  10th  inst. 
to  be  landed  at  Sandusky  ;  and  have  requested  Gen. 
Harrison  to  have  them  marched  to  Chillicothe,  and 
there  wait,  until  your  pleasure  shall  be  known  respec 
ting  them. 

The  Lawrence  has  been  so  entirely  cut  up,  it  is  ab 
solutely  necessary  she  should  go  into  a  safe  harbour  ; 
I  have,  therefore,  directed  Lieutenant  Yarnell  to  pro 
ceed  to  Erie,  in  her,  with  the  wounded  of  the  fleet  ; 
and  dismantle,  and  gcther  over  the  bar,  as  soon  as  pos 
sible. 

The  two  ships,  in  a  heavy  sea,  this  day  at  anchor, 
lost  their  masts,  being  much  injured  in  the  action.  1 
shall  haul  them  into  the  inner  bay,  at  this  place,  and 
moor  them  for  the  present.  The  Detroit  is  a  remarka 
bly  fine  ship  ;  sails  well,  and  is  very  strong  built ; — the 
Queen  Charlotte  is  a  much  superior  vessel  to  what  has 
been  represented  ; — the  Lady  Prevost  is  a  large,  fine 
schooner. 

I  also  beg  your  instructions,  respecting  the  wounded  ;• 
I  am  satisfied,  sir,  that  whatever  steps  1  might  take, 
governed  by  humanity,  would  meet  your  approbation  ; 
under  this  impression,  I  have  taken  upon  myself  to  pro 
mise  Capt.  Barclay,  wl.o  is  very  dangerously  wounded, 
that  he  shall  be  landed  as  near  Lake  Ontario  as  possi 
ble  ;  and,  I  had  no  doubt,  you  would  allow  me  to  pa 
role  him  ;  he  is  under  the  impression,  that  nothing  but 
leaving  this  part  of  the  country  will  save  his  life.  There 


THE  AMERICAN  NAVY. 

is,  also,  a  number  of  Canadians  among  the  prisoners 

many  who  have  families. 

I  have  the  honor,  &c. 

O.  II.  PERRY. 

Hon.  W.  Jones,  Sec.  Navy. 

The  whole  force  of  the  British  squadron  was  63  guns 
and  2  swivels  ;— that  of  the  American  squadron,  54 
guns,  and  3  swivels  ;  one  of  the  guns  hurst  early  in  the 
action. 

In  the  above  action,  we  had  27  killed,  and  96  wound 
ed—total,  killed  and  wounded,  223.  On  the  morning 
of  the  action,  there  were  116  unfit  for  duty. 


CHAPTER  XXVI. 

General  Operations   Continued. 
DEFEAT  OF  GEN.  PROCTOR. 

The  British  immediately  evacuated  Detroit;  Gen. 
Harrison  advanced,  took  possession,  and  the  illustrious 
Perry  joined  him  and  became  his  companion  in  arms. 
On  the  23d  of  September,  Gen.  Harrison  crossed  over 
and  destroyed  fort  Maiden,  and  on  the  9th  of  Oct.  he 
gained  a  complete  victory  over  Gen.  Proctor,  and  took, 
or  destroyed  his  whole  army. 


286  RISE  AND  PROGRESS  OF 


MALDEN    TAKEN. 

Copy  of   a  letter  from  Major  General  William  H.Harrison,   to  the 
War  Department,  dated 

Head    Quarters,  Amherstburg, 

Sept.   23,   1813. 
SIR, 

T  have  the  honor  to  inform  you,  that  I  landed  the  ar 
my,  under  my  command,  about  three  miles  below  this 
place,  at  3  o'clock  this  evening,  without  opposition,  and 
took  possession  of  the  town  an  hour  after.  General 
Proctor  has  returned  to  Sandwich,  with  his  regular 
troops  and  Indians,  having  previously  burned  the  fort, 
navy  yard,  barracks,  and  public  stores  ;  the  two  latter 
were  very  extensive,  covering  several  acres  of  ground. 
I  will  pursue  the  enemy  to-morrow,  although  there  is  no 
probability  of  overtaking  him,  as  he  has  upwards  of  1000 
horses  and  we  have  not  one  in  the  army  ;  I  shall  think 
myself  fortunate  to  be  able  to  collect  a  sufficiency  ta 
mount  the  general  officers. — It  is  supposed  here,  that 
General  Proctor  intends  to  establish  himself  upon  th& 
river  French,  40  miles  from  Maiden. 
I  have  the  honor,  &c. 

WM.  H.  HARRRISON. 


DEFEAT    OF    GEN.    PROCTOR. 

Head-Quarters,    near    Moravian-Town,     on    thv    river 

Thames,  80  miles  from  Detroit. 

October  5th,  1813. 
SIR, 

I  have  the  honor  to  inform  you,  that,  by  the  blessing 
of  Providence,  the  army  under  my  command  has  ob 
tained  a  complete  victory  over  the  combined  Indian  and 
British  forces;  under  the  command  of  General  Proctor. 
1  believe  that  nearly  the  whole  of  the  enemy's  regular* 


THE  AMERICAN  NAVY.  28? 

•are  taken  or  killed  ;  amongst  the  former  are  all  the  su 
perior  officers,  except  Gen-  Proctor  ;  my  mounted  men 
are  now  in  pursuit  of  him. 

Our  loss  is  very  trifling  ;  the  brave  Col.  R.  M.  John 
son    is  the    only    officer   that   I  have  heard  of,   that  is 
wounded-^-he  badly,  but  I  hope  not  dangerously. 
I  have  the  honor,  &LC. 

W.  H.  HARRISON. 
Hon.J.  ARMSTRONG. 

Sec.  of  War* 


FURTHER  OF  PROCTOR'S  DEFEAT. 

Copy  of  a  letter  from  Mai.  General  Harrison,  to  the  Secretary  of 
War,  dated 

Head  Quarters,  Detroit. 

October,  9lh,  1813. 
SIR, 

In  my  letter  from  Sandwich,  of  the  30th.  ult.  I  did 
myself  th?  honor  to  inform  you,  that  1  was  preparir  g  to 
pursue  the  enemy  on  the  following  day:  from  various 
causes,  however,  I  was  unable  to  put  the  troops  in  mo 
tion  until  the  morning  of  the  2d  instant  ;  and  then  to 
take  with  me  about  1 40  of  the  regular  troops,  Johnson's 
mounted  regiment,  and  such  of  Gov.  Shelby's  volun 
teers  as  were  fit  for  a  rapid  march  ;  the  whole  amount 
ing  to  about  3,500  men.  To  Gen.  M' Arthur,  (with 
about  700  effective,)  the  protecting  this  pl#ce,  and  the 
sick,  was  committed.  Gen.  Cass's  brigade,  and  the 
corps  of  Lieut.  Col.  Bali,  were  left  at  Sandwich,  with 
orders  to  follow  me  as  soon  as  the  men  received  their 
knapsacks  and  blankets,  which  had  been  left  on  an  island, 
in  lake  Erie. 

The  unavoidable  delay  at  Sandwich  was  attended 
with  no  disadvantage  to  us  ;  General  Proctor  had  post 
ed  himself  at  Dalson's,  on  the  riijht  bank  of  the  Thames, 


288  RISE  AND  PROGRESS  OF 

(or  Trench)  56  miles  from  this  place,  where,  I  was  in- 
formed,  he  Wended  to  fortify,  and  wait  to   receive  me. 
He  must  have  believed,  however,  that  I  had  no  disposi 
tion  to  follow  him,  or  that  he  had   secured  my  contmu- 
<mce  here  by  the  reports  that  were  circulated,  that 
Indfans  would  attack  and  destroy  this  place,  upon    he 
advance  of  the  army-as  he  neglected  to  commence  the 
breaking  up  the  bridges,  "until  the  night  of  the  2d  m- 
,(anSn  that  nightV  army  reached  the  river  which 
i,2f  miles  from  Sandwich,  and  is  one  of  four  streams, 
crossinE  our  route,  over  all  of  which  are  bridges  ;  and, 
S  deep  ^  muddy,  are  not  fordable  for  a  considera- 
be  distance  into  the  /ountry  :  the  bridge  here,  was  found 
entire  ;  and  in  the  morning,  I  proceeded,  with  Johnson, 
regiment,  to  save,  if  possible,  the  others      At  the 
,nd  bridge,  over  a  branch  of  the  river  Thames,  we  were 
fort,  nate  cnoueh  to  capture  a  Lieutenant  of  Dragoon., 
SJuStaS  who  hid  been  sent  by  General  Proctor 
to  destroy  them.     From  the  prisoners,  1  learned   that 
he  thirdLdge  was  broken  up,  and  that  the  enemy  had 
o  certain   information  of  our  advance  ;—  the  budge, 
avin  «  been  imperfectly  destroyed,  was  soon  repaired, 
and  the  arl  encamped  at  Drake's  farm,  4  miles  below 
Da,aonV.-The  river  Thames,  along  the  banks  of  which 
our  route  lay,  is  a  fine  deep  stream,  navigable  for  ves- 
ds  of  "livable  burthen  ;  &*•£"&**» 
bar  at  its  mouth,  there  is  six  and  a  half  feet  water. 


high  and  woody. 


THE  AMERICAN  NAVY.  289 

The  Commodore  and  myself,  therefore,  agreed  upon 
the  propriety  of  leaving  the  boats  under  a  guard  of  150 
infantry  ;  and  I  determined  to  trust  to  fortune,  and  the 
bravery  of  my  troops,  to  effect  the  passage  of  the 
river.  Below  a  place  called  Chatham,  and  4  miles 
above  Dalson's,  is  the  third  unfordable  branch  of  the 
Thames  ;  the  bridge  over  its  mouth  had  been  taken  up 
by  the  Indians,  as  well  as  that  at  M'Gregor's  mills,  one 
mile  above.  Several  hundred  of  the  Indians  remained 
to  dispute  our  passage,  and  upon  the  arrival  of  the  ad 
vanced,  guard  commenced  a  heavy  fire  from  the  oppo 
site  bank  of  the  creek,  as  well  as  that  of  the  river.  Be 
lieving  that  the  whole  force  of  the  enemy  was  there,  I 
halted  the  army,  and  formed  in  order  of  battle  ;  and 
brought  up  our  two  six  pounders,  to  cover  the  party 
that  were  ordered  to  repair  the  bridge  ;  a  few  shot 
from  those  pieces,  soon  drove  off  the  Indians,  and  ena 
bled  us.  in  two  hours,  to  repair  the  bridge,  and  cross  the 
troops.  Col.  Johnson's  mounted  regiment,  being  upon 
the  right  of  the  army,  had  seized  the  remains  of  the 
bridge  at  the  mills,  under  a  heavy  fire  from  the  Indians. 
Our  loss,  upon  this  occasion,  was  2  killed,  and  3  or  4 
wounded — that  of  the  enemy  was  ascertained  to  be  con 
siderably  greater.  A  house,  near  the  bridge,  containing 
a  considerable  number  of  musquets,  had  been  set  on 
fire  ;  but  it  was  extinguished  by  our  troops,  and  the 
arms  saved.  At  the  first  farm,  above  the  bridge,  we 
found  one  of  the  enemy's  vessels  on  fire,  loaded  with 
arms  and  ordnance  stores  ;  and  learned  that  they 
were  a  few  miles  ahead  of  us,  still  on  the  right  bank  of 
the  river,  with  a  great  body  of  Indians.  At  Bowies'* 
farm.  4  miles  from  the  bridge,  we  halted  for  the  night  ; 
found  two  other  vessels,  and  a  large  distillery,  filled 
with  ordnance  and  other  valuable  stores,  to  an  im 
mense  amount,  in  flames  ;  it  was  impossible  to  put  out 
the  fire — two  24  prs.  with  their  carriages,  were  taken, 
with  a  large  quantity  of  ball  and  shell,  of  various  sizes. 
The  army  was  put  in  motion,  early  on  the  morning 


290  H-ISE   AND  PROGRESS  OF 

of  the  5th.  I  pushed  on,  in  advance,  with  the  mounted 
regiment,  and  requested  Gov.  Shelby  to  follow,  asexpe- 
ditiously  as  possible,  with  the  infantry  ;  the  Governor's 
zeal,  and  that  of  his  men,  enabled  them  to  keep  up 
with  the  cavalry  ;  and,  by  9  o'clock,  we  were  at  Arnold's 
mills,  having  taken,  in  the  course  of  the  morning,  two 
gun  boats,  and  several  batteaux,  loaded  with  provisions 
and  ammunition.  A  rapid,  at  the  river  at  Arnold's 
mills,  affords  the  only  fording  to  be  met  with,  for  a  very 
considerable  distance  ;  but  upon  examination,  it  was 
found  too  deep  for  the  infantry.  Having,  fortunately, 
taken  two  or  three  boats,  and  some  Indian  canoes,  on 
the  spot,  and  obliging  the  horsemen  to  take  a  footman 
behind  each,  the  whole  were  safely  crossed  by  1  2  o'clock. 
Eight  miles  from  the  crossing,  we  passed  a  farm  where 
a  part  of  the  British  troops  had  encamped  the  night  be 
fore,  under  the  command  of  Co!.  Warburton  ;  the  de 
tachment^  under  General  Proctor,  had  arrived,  the  day 
before,  at  the  Moravian  towns,  four  miles  higher  up. 
Being  now  certainly  near  the  enemy,  1  directed  the 
advance  of  Johnson's  regiment  to  accelerate  their  march 
for  the  purpose  of  procuring  intelligence;  the  officer 
commanding  it,  in  a  short  time,  sent  to  inform  me,  that 
his  progress  was  stopped  by  the  enemy,  who  were  form 
ed  across  our  line  of  march  :  one  of  the  enemy's  wag 
goners  also  being  taken  prisoner,  from  the  information 
received  from  him,  and  my  own  observation,  assisted  by 
gome  of  my  officers,  1  soon  ascertained  enough  of  their 
disposition,  and  order  of  battle  to  determine  that,  which 
it  was  proper  for  me  to  adopt. 

I  have  the  honor,  herewith,  to  enclose  to  you  my  gen 
eral  order,  of  the  27th  ulf.  prescribing  the  order  of 
march,  and  of  battle,  when  the  whole  army  should  act 
together;-  but  as  the  number  and  description  of  the 
troops  had  been  essentially  changed,  since  the  issuing 
the  order,  it  became  necessary  to  make  a.  corresponding 
alteration  in  their  disposition, 


THE  AMERICAN  NAVY.  291 

From  the  place  where  our  army  was  last  halted,  to 
the  Moravian  towns,  a  distance  of  about  three  and  a 
half  miles,  the  road  passes  through  a  beach  forest,  with 
out  any  clearing;  and,  for  the  first  two  miles,  near  to 
the  bank  of  the  river  ;  at  from  2  to  300  yards  from  the 
river,  a  swamp  extends  parallel  to  it,  throughout  the 
whole  distance  ;  the  intermediate  ground  is  dry,  and, 
although  the  trees  are  tolerably  thick,  it  is  in  many  pla 
ces  clear  of  underbrush  ;  across  the  strip  of  land,  its 
left  appuayed  upon  the  river,  supported  by  artillery,  pla 
ced  in  the  wood  ;  their  right  in  the  swamp,  covered  by 
the  whole  of  their  Indian  force — the  British  troops  were 
drawn  up. 

The  troops,  at  my  disposal,  consisted  of  about  120 
regulars  of  the  27th  regiment,  five  brigades  of  Kentucky 
volunteers,  militia  infantry,  under  his  excellency  Gov 
ernor  Shelby,  averaging  less  than  500  men  ;  and  Col. 
Johnson's  regiment  of  mounted  infantry,  making  in  the 
whole,  an  aggregate  of  something  above  3000.  No  dis 
position  of  an  army,  opposed  to  an  Indian  force,  can  be 
safe,  unless  it  is  secured  on  the  flanks,  and  in  the  rear  ; 
[  had,  therefore,  no  difficulty  in  arranging  the  infantry, 
conformably  to  my  general  order  of  battle.  General 
Trotter's  brigade,  of  500  men,  formed  the  front  line  ; 
his  right  upon  the  road — his  left  upon  the  swamp  ;  Gen. 
King's  brigade,  as  a  second  line,  150  yards  in  the  rear 
of  Trotter's  ;  and  Chile's  brigade,  as  a  corps  of  reserve, 
in  the  rear  of  it — these  three  brigades  formed  the  com 
mand  of  Maj.  Gen.  Henry  ;  the  whole  of  Gen.  Desha't 
division,  consisting  of  two  brigades,  were  formed,  en 
potence,  upon  the  left  of  Trotter. 

Whilst  1  was  engaged  in  forming  the  infantry,  I  had 
directed  Col.  Johnson's  regiment,  which  was  still  in 
front,  to  be  formed  in  two  lines,  opposite  to  the  enemy  5 
and,  upon  the  advance  of  the  infantry,  to  take  the 
ground  upon  the  left  ;  and,  forming  upon  the  flank,  to 
cndeavorto  turn  the  right  of  the  Indians. 


292  RISE  AND  PROGRESS  OF 

A  moment's  reflection,  however,  convinced  me,  that, 
from  the  thickness  of  the  woods,  and  swampiness  of  the 
ground,  they  would  be  unable  to  do  any  thing  on  horse 
back — and  there  was  no  time  to  dismount  them,  and 
place  their  horses  in  security  ;  I,  therefore,  determined 
to  refuse  my  left  to  the  Indians,  and  to  break  the  Brit 
ish  lines,  at  once,  by  a  charge  of  the  mounted  infantry. 
The  measure  was  not  sanctioned  by  any  thing  that  I  had 
seen  or  heard  of,  but  I  was  fully  convinced  that  it  would 
succeed.  The  American  back-woodsmen  ride  better  in 
the  woods  than  any  other  people  ;  a  musquet,  or  rifle, 
is  no  impediment  to  them,  being  accustomed  to  carry 
them,  on  horseback,  from  their  earliest  youth.  I  was 
persuaded,  too,  that  the  enemy  would  be  quite  unpre 
pared  for  the  shock,  and  that  they  could  not  resist  it. 
Conformably  to  this  idea,  I  directed  the  regiment  to  be 
drawn  up  in  close  column,  with  its  right  at  the  distance 
of  50  yards  upon  the  road;  (that  it  might  be,  in  some 
measure,  protected  by  the  trees,  from  the  artillery,)  its 
left  upon  the  swamp,  and  to  charge,  at  full  speed,  as 
soon  as  the  enemy  delivered  their  fire.  The  few  regu 
lar  troops,  of  the  27th,  under  their  Colonel,  (Paul)  oc 
cupied,  in  columns  of  four,  the  small  spacelbetween  the 
road  and  the  river,  for  the  purpose  of  seizing  the  ene 
my's  artillery  ;  and  some,  10  or  12,  friendly  Indians 
were  directed  to  move  under  the  bank.  The  crotchet, 
formed  by  the  front  line,  and  Gen.  Desha's  division,  was 
an  important  point  ;  at  this  place  the  venerable  gover 
nor  of  Kentucky  was  posted,  who,  at  the  age  of  G6,  pre 
serves  all  the  vigor  of  youth — the  ardent  zeal,  which 
distinguished  him  in  the  revolutionary  war — and  the  un 
daunted  bravery,  which  he  manifested  at  King's  Moun 
tain.  With  my  aids-de-camp,  the  acting  assistant  Adju 
tant  Gen.  Capt.  Butler;  my  gallant  friend,  Com.  Perry, 
who  did  me  the  honor  to  serve  as  my  volunteer  aid-de 
camp,  and  Brig.  Gen.  Cass,  who,  having  no  command, 
tendered  me  his  assistance— I  placed  myself  at  the  head 
of  the  front  line  of  infantry,  to  direct  the  movements  of 


THE  AMERICAN  NAVY.  293 

the  cavalry,  and  give  them  the  necessary  support.  The 
army  had  moved  on,  in  this  order,  but  a  short  distance, 
when  the  mounted  men  received  the  fire  of  the  British 
line,  and  were  ordered  to  charge  ;  the  horses,  in  the 
front  of  the  column,  recoiled  from  the  fire  ;  another 
was  given  by  the  enemy,  and  our  column,-  at  length  get 
ting  in  motion,  broke  through  the  enemy  with  irresisti 
ble  force.  In  one  minute  the  contest,  in  front,  was 
over.  The  British  officers,  seeing  no  hopes  of  reducing 
their  disordered  ranks  to  order,  and  our  mounted  men 
wheeling  upon  them,  and  pouring  in  a  destructive  fire, 
immediately  surrendered.  It  is  certain  that  three  only, 
of  our  troops,  were  wounded  in  this  charge.  Upon  the 
left,  however,  the  contest  was  more  severe,  with  the  In 
dians  :  Col.  Johnson,  who  commanded  on  that  flank  of 
his  regiment,  received  a  most  galling  fire  from  them, 
which  was  returned  with  great  effect.  The  Indians, 
still  further  to  the  right,  advanced,  and  fell  in  with  our 
front  line  of  infantry,  near  its  junction  with  Desna's  di 
vision,  and,  for  a  moment,  made  an  impression  upon  it. 
His  excellency,  Gov.  Shelby,  however,  brought  up  a 
regiment  to  its  support ;  and  the  enemy,  receiving  a  se 
vere  fire  in  front,  and  apart  of  Johnson's  regiment  hav 
ing  gained  their  rear,  retreated  with  precipitation. 
Their  loss  was  considerable  in  the  action,  and  many 
were  killed  in  their  retreat. 

I  can  give  no  satisfactory  information  of  the  num 
ber  of  Indians  that  were  in  the  action  ;  but  they  must 
have  been  considerably  upwards  of  one  thousand. 
From  the  documents  in  my  possession,  (Gen.  Proctor's 
official  letters,  all  of  which  were  taken)  and  from  the 
information  of  respectable  inhabitants  of  this  territory, 
the  Indians,  kept  in  pay  by  the  British,  were  much 
more  numerous  than  has  been  generally  supposed.  In 
a  letter  to  Gen.De  Rottenburg,  of  the  27th  inst.  Gen. 
Proctor  speaks  of  having  prevailed  upon  most  of  the 
Indians  to  accompany  him  ;  of  these,  it  is  certain  that 
50  or  60  Wyandot  warriors  abandoned  him. 


294  RISE  AND  PROGRESS  OF 

The  number  of  onr  troops  was  certainly  greater  than 
that  of  the  enemy  ;  but,  when  it  is  recollected  that  they 
had  chosen  a  position,  which  effectually  secured  their 
flank  which  it  was  impossible  for  us  to  turn  ;  and  that 
we  could  not  present  to  them  a  line  more  extended 
than  their  own,  it  will  not  be  considered  arrogant  to 
claim,  for  my  troops,  the  palm  of  superior  bravery. 

In  communicating  to  the  President,  through  you  sir, 
my  opinion  of  the  conduct  of  the  ofiicers,  who  served 
under  my  command,  I  am  at  a  loss  how  to  'mention 
that  of  Gov.  Shelby,  being  convinced  that  no  eulogium 
of  mine  can  reach  his  merits ;  the  governor  of  an  in 
dependent  state — greatly  my  superior  in  years,  in  expe 
rience,  and  in  military  character — he  placed  himself 
under  my  command;  and  was  not  more  remarkable 
for  his  zeal  and  activity,  than  for  the^  promptitude  and 
cheerfulness  with  which  he  obeyed  my  orders. 

The  Major-Generals,  Henry  and  Desha,  and  the  Brig 
adiers,  Allen,  Caldwell,  Chiles,  and  Trotter,  all  of  the 
Kentucky  volunteers,  manifested  great  zeal  and  activi 
ty. 

It  would  be- useless,  sir,  after  stating  the  circumstan 
ces  of  the  action,  to  pass  encomiums  upon  Col.  John 
son,  and  his  regiment — veterans  could  not  have  manL 
fested  more  firmness  ;  the  Colonel's  numerous  wounds 
prove  that  he  was  in  the  post  of  danger.  Lieut.  Col. 
James  Johnson,  and  the  Majors  Payne  and  Thompson., 
were  equally  active,  though  more  fortunate.  Major 
Wood,  of  the  engineers,,  already  distinguished,  by  his 
conduct  at  fort  Meigs,  attended  the  army  with  two  6 
pounders  ;  having  no  use  for  them  ia  the  action,  he  join 
ed  in  the  pursuit  of  the  enemy;  and,  with  Maj.  Payne, 
of  the  mounted  regiment,  two  of  my  aids-de-camp, 
Todd  and  Chambers,  and  three  privates,  continued  it 
for  several  miles  after  the  troops  had  halted,  arid  made 
many  prisoners. 

I  left  the  army  before  an  official  return  of  the  prison 
er*,  or  that  of  the  killed  and  wounded,  was  made  out  . 


THE  AMERICAN  NAVY.  095 

it  was,  however,  ascertained,  that  the  former  amounted 
to  601  regulars,  including  25  officers.  Our  loss  is  sev 
en  killed,  and  22  wounded,  five  of  which  have  since  di 
ed.  Of  the  British  troops,  12  were  killed,  and  22 
wounded ;  the  Indians  suffered  most — 33  of  them  hav 
ing  been  found  upon  the  ground,  hcsides  those  killed  on 
the  retreat. 

On  the  day  of  the  action,  six  pieces  of  brass  artillery 
were  taken — and  2  iron  24  pounders,  the  day  be 
fore  ; — several  others  were  discovered  in  the  river,  and 
can  be  easily  procured.  Of  the  brass  pieces,  3  are  the 
trophies  of  our  revolutionary  war,  that  were  taken  at 
Saratoga  and  York,  and  surrendered  by  General  Hull. 
The  number  of  small  arms,  taken  by  us,  and  destroyed 
by  the  enemy,  must  amount  to  upwards  of  5000  ;  most 
of  them  had  been  ours,  and  taken  by  the  enemy  at  the 
surrender  of  Detroit,  at  the  river  Raisin,  and  at  Col. 
Dudley's  defeat.  I  believe  that  the  enemy  retain  no 
other  trophy  of  their  victories,  than  the  standard  of  the 
4th  regiment ;  they  were  not  magnanimous  enough  to 
bring  that  of  the  41st  into  the  field,  or  it  would  have 
been  taken.  You  have  been  informed,  sir,  of  the  con 
duct  of  the  troops,  under  my  comrnind,  in  action;  it 
gives  me  great  pleasure  to  inform  you,  that  they  merit, 
also,  the  approbation  of  their  country,  for  their  con 
duct — in  submitting  to  the  greatest  privations,  with  the 
utmost  cheerfulness. 

The  infantry  were  entirely  without  tents  ;  andr  for 
several  days,  the  whole  army  subsisted  upon  fresh  beef, 
without  bread  or  salt. — Gen.  Proctor  escaped  by  the 
ileetness  of  his  horses,  escorted  by  40  dragoongr  and  a 
number  of  Indians. 

1  have  the  honor,  <fec. 

WILLIAM  H.  HARRISON. 
Hon.  J,  ARMSTRONG, 

Sec'y  War. 


Q9S  RISE  AND  PROGRESS  OF 


TREATY  WITH  THE  INDIANS. 

Extract  of  a  letter  from  Gen.  M'Arthur,  to   the  Secretary  of  War, 
dated 

Detroit,  October  6fA,  1813. 

On -our  arrival  at  Sandwich,  my  brigade  was  ordered 
across  the  river  to  disperse  some  Indians,  who  were  pil 
laging  the  town,  and  to  take  possession  of  this  place. 
Information  was  received,  that  several  thousand  In 
dians  had  retired  a  small  distance  into  the  woods,  with 
instructions  to  attack  Gen.  Harrison's  army,  on  its 
passage,  for  the  purpose  of  retarding  its  progress  ;  con 
sequently,  my  brigade  was  left  to  garrison  this  place. 

Since  General  Harrison's  departure,  five  nations  of 
Indians,  viz. — Ottawas,  Chippewas,  Pottewatamies, 
Miamies,  and  Kickapoos,  who  were  but  a  few  miles 
back,  have  come  in  for  peace  ;  and  I  have  agreed  that 
hostilities  should  cease,  for  the  present,  on  the  following 
conditions  : — they  have  agreed  to  take  hold  of  the 
same  tomahawk  with  us,  and  to  strike  all  who  are,  or 
may  be  enemies  to  the  United  States,  whether  British 
or  Indians  ;  they  are  to  bring  in  a  number  of  their  wo 
men  and  children,  and  leave  them  as  hostage?,  whilst 
they  accompany  us  to  war.  Some  of  them  have  al 
ready  brought  in  (heir  women,  and  are  drawing  ra 
tions.  <• 

I  have  just  received  a  note,  from  General  Harrison, 
advising,  that  he  had  last  evening  overtaken  Gen.  Proc 
tor's  force,  and  had  gained  a  complete  victory  ;  all  the 
principal  officers  were  in  his  possession,  except  Gen. 
Proctor;  which,  no  doubt,  ends  the  war  in  this  quar 
ter. 

I  have  the  honor,  &c. 

DUNCAN  M'ARTHUR. 

HOB.  Sec'y  of  War. 


THE   AMERICAN  NAVY.  297 

CHAPTER   XXVII. 

General  Operations  Continued. 
SIR  JAMES  YEO'S  MODE  OF  FIGHTING. 

Extract  of  a  letter  from  Com.  Isaac  Chauncey,  to  the   Secretary  of 
the  Navy,  dated 

On  board  the  U.  S.  S-  Gen.  Pike,  off  Duck  Island, 

St.pt.  13,  1813. 
Sm, 

On  the  7th,  at  day-light,  the  enemy's  fleet  was  dis 
covered  close  in  with  the  Niagara  river,  wind  from  the 
southward — made  the  signal,  weighed  with  the  fleet, 
(prepared  for  action)  and  stood  out  of  the  river,  after 
him.  He  immediately  made  all  sail  to  the  northward  ; 
we  made  sail  in  chase,  with  our  heavy  schooners  in 
tow — and  have  continued  the  chase,  all  round  the  lake, 
night  and  day,  until  yesterday  morning,  when  he  suc 
ceeded  in  getting  into  Arnherst-Bay,  which  is  so  little 
known  to  our  pilots,  and  said  to  be  so  full  of  shoals, 
that  they  are  not  willing  to  take  rne  in  there.  I  shall, 
however,  (unless  driven  from  my  station  by  a  gale  of 
wind,)  endeavor  to  watch  him  so  close,  as  to  prevent 
his  getting  out  upon  the  lake.  During  our  long  chase, 
we  frequently  got  within  from  one  to  two  miles  of  the 
enemy  ;  but  our  heavy-sailing  schooners  prevented  our 
closing  in  with  him,  until  the  llth,  off  Genesce  river  ; 
we  carried  a  breeze  with  us,  while  he  lay  becalmed,  to 
within  about  three-fourths  of  a  mile  of  him,  when  he 
took  the  breeze,  and  we  had  a  running-fight  of  thre« 
and  a  half  hours  ;  but,  by  his  superior  sailing,  he  es 
caped  me,  and  run  into  Arnherst-Bay,  yesterday  morn 
ing.  In  the  course  of  our  chase,  on  the  1 1th,  I  got  sev 
eral  broadsides,  from  this  ship,  upon  the  enemy,  which 
must  have  done  him  considerable  injury,  as  many  of 


598  RISE  AN^>  PROGRESS  OF 

the  shot  were  seen  to  strike  him,  and  people  were  ob 
served,  over  the  side,  plugging  shot  holes  ;  a  few  shot 
struck  our  hull,  and  a  little  rigging  was  cut,  but  nothing 
of  importance — not  a  man  was  hurt. 

I  was  much  disappointed,  that  Sir  James  refused  to 
fight  me,  as  he  was  so  much  superior  in  point  of  force, 
both  in  guns  and  men  —having  upwards  of  20  a;uns  more 
than  we  have,  and  throws  a  greater  weight  of  shot. 

This  ship,  the  Madison,  and  Sylph,  have  each  a  schr. 
constantly  in  tow;  yet  the  others  cannot  sail  as  fast  as 
the  enemy's  squadron,  which  gives  him  decidedly  the  ad 
vantage,  and  puts  it  in  his  power  to  engage  me  when  and 
how  he  chooses. 

I  have  the  honor,  &c, 

ISAAC  CHAUNCEY. 

Hon.  W.  JONES, 

Sec^y  Navy. 


THE  JULIA  AND  GROWLER  RE-CAPTURED. 

Copy  of  a  letter  from  Corfimodore  Chauncey,  to  the  Secretary  of  th« 

Navy,  dated 

U.  S.  S.  Gen.  Pike,  Sackctfs  Harbor, 

October  6th,  1813. 
SIR, 

I  have  the  pleasure  to  inform  you,  that  I  arrived  here 
this  morning  with  live  of  the  enemy's  vessels,  which  1 
fell  in  with,  and  captured  last  evening,  off  the  Dueks  ; 
these  were  part  of  a  fleet  of  seven  sail,  which  left  York, 
on  Sunday,  with  234  troops  on  board,  bound  to  Kings 
ton.  Of  this  fleet,  (ive  were  captured,  one  burnt,  and 
one  escaped.  The  prisoners,  amounting  to  nearly 
300,  besides  having  upwards  of  300  of  our  troops  on 
board,  from  Niagara,  induced  me  to  run  into  port,  for 
the  purpose  of  landing  both. 


THE  AMERICAN  NAVY. 

I  have  an  additional  pleasure  in  informing  you,  that 
nmongst  the  captured  vessels,  are  the  late  U.  S.  schrs. 
Julia  and  Growler  ;  the  others  are  gun-vessels. 
I  have  the  honor,  &c. 

ISAAC  CHAUNCEY. 
Hon.  W.JONES, 

Sec*y  Navy. 


FURTHER  PROCEEDINGS. 

Copy  of  a  letter  from  Commodore  Chmincey,  (o  the   Secretary  of 

the  Navy,  claied 

U.  S.  S.  Gen.  Pike,  off  Niagara, 

October  1,   1813. 
SIR, 

On  the  26th  ult.  it  was  reported  to  me;  that  the  ene 
my's  fleet  was  in  York.  I  immediately  despatched  the 
Lady  of  the  Lake  to  look  into  York,  and  ascertain  the 
fact  ;  she  returned  in  the  evening  with  the  information, 
that  the  enemy  was  in  York  hay.  1  immediately  pre 
pared  to  weigh  ;  but,  owing  (o  a' strong  wind  from  N.  N. 
E.  was  not  ab'e  to  get  out  of  the  river  before  the  eve 
ning  of  the  27th  ;  and,  owing  to  (he  extreme  darkness 
of  the  night,  a  part  of  the  squadron  got  separated,  and 
did  not  join  before  next  morning,  at  8,  A.  M.  On  the 
Hh,  the  Gen.  Pike,  Madison,  and  Sylph,  each  took  a 
schooner  in  tow,  and  made  all  sail  for  York  ;  soon  after, 
discovered  the  enemy's  fleet  in  York  bay,  shaped  our 
course  for  him,  and  prepared  for  action;,  he  per 
ceived  our  intention  of  engaging  him  in  his  posi'tion — 
tacked  and  stood  out  of  the  bay,  wind  at  east.  I  form 
ed  the  line  and  run  down  for  Ins  centre  :  when  we  had 
approached  within  about  3  miles,  he  made  all  sail  to  the 
southward  ;  I  wore  in  succession,  and  stood  on  the  same 
tack  with  him,  edging  down  gradually  in  order  to  close. 
At  10  minutes,  past  meridian,  the  enemy,  finding  we 


300  RISE  AND  PROGRESS  OF 

were  closing  fast  with  him,  and  that  he  must  either  risk 
an  action,  or  suffer  his  two  rear  vessels  to  be  cut  off,  he 
tacked  in  succession,  beginning  at  the  van,  hoisted  his 
colours,  and  commenced  a  well  directed  fire  at  this  ship, 
for  the  purpose  of  covering  his  rear,  and  attacking  our 
rear  as  he  passed  to  leeward.  Perceiving  his  intention, 
I  determined  to  disappoint  him  ;  and,  therefore,  as  soon 
as  the  Wolf,  (the  leading  ship,)  passed  the  centre  of  his 
line,  and  a-beam  of  us,  I  bore  up  in  succession,  (pre 
serving  our  line,  for  the  enemy's  centre  ;)  this  manoeu 
vre  not  only  covered  our  rear,  but  hove  him  in  confu 
sion  ;  he  immediately  bore  away. 

We  had,  however,  closed  so  near  as  to  bring  our 
guns  to  bear  with  effect  ;  and,  in  20  minutes,  the  main 
and  mizen  top-mast,  and  main  yard  of  the  Wolf  was 
shot  away  ;  he  immediately  put  before  the  wind — was 
enabled  to  out  sail  most  of  our  squadron  ;  as  it  brought 
all  the  sail  upon  one  mast,  he  did  not  feel  the  loss  of 
his  main  and  mizen  top-mast.  I  continued  the  chase 
until  near  three  o'clock,  during  which  time  I  was  en 
abled,  in  this  ship,  (with  the  Asp  in  tow,)  to  keep  in 
point-blank  shot  of  the  enemy,  and  sustained  the  whole 
fire  during  the  chase.  Capt.  Crane,  in  the  Madison, 
and  Lieut.  Brown,  in  the  Oneida,  used  every  exertion 
to  close  with  the  enemy  ;  but  the  Madison  having  a 
heavy  schooner  in  tow,  and  the  Oneida  sailing  very 
dull  before  the  wind,  prevented  those  officers  from  clo 
sing  near  enough  to  do  any  execution  with  their  carron- 
ades.  The  Gov.  Tompkins  kept  in  her  station  ;  until 
her  foremast  was  so  badly  wounded,  as  to  oblige  her  to 
shorten  sail.  Lieut.  Finch,  of  the  Madison,  who  com 
manded  her  for  this  cruise,  (owing  to  the  indisposition 
of  Lieut.  Pettigrcw,)  behaved  with  great  gallantry,  and 
is  an  officer  of  much  promise.  Capt.  Wolsey,  of  the 
Sylph,  was  kept  astern  by  the  Ontario,  which  he  had  in 
tow,  but  did  considerable  execution  with  his  heavy- 
guns.  At  15  minutes  before  3,  P.  M.  I  very  reluctant- 
Jy  relinquished  the  pursuit  of  a  beaten  enemy;  the  ica- 


THE  AMERICAN  NAVY.  301 

sons  which  led  to  this  determination,  were    such  as,   I 
flatter  myself,  you  will  approve — they  were  these  : 

At  the  time  I  gave  up  the  chase,  this  ship  was  mak 
ing  so  much  water,  that  it  required  all  our  pumps  to 
heep  her  free,  owing  to  our  receiving  several  shot  so 
much  below  the  waters  edge,  that  we  could  not  plug  the. 
holes  from  the  outside.  The  Gov.  Tompkins  with  her 
foremast  gone,  and  the  squadron  within  ahout  6  miles 
of  the  head  of  the  lake,  blowing  a  gale  of  wind  from 
the  east,  and  increasing,  with  a  heavy  sea  on,  and  every 
appearance  of  the  equinox. 

I  considered,  that  if  I  chased  the  enemy  to  his  an 
chorage,  at  the  head  of  the  lake,  I  should  be  obliged  to 
anchor  also  ;  and  although  we  might  succeed  in  driving 
him  on  shore,  the  probability  was,  that  we  should  go  on 
shore  also  :  he  amongst  his  friends — we  amongst  our 
enemies;  and,  after  the  gale  abated,  if  he  could  suc 
ceed  in  getting  off  one  or  two  vessels  out  of  the  two 
fleets,  would  give  him  as  completely  the  command  of 
the  lake,  as  if  he  had  20  vessels  ;  moreover,  he  was 
covered,  at  his  anchorage,  by  a  part  of  his  army,  and 
severa^  small  batteries  thrown  up  for  the  purpose  ; 
threfore,  if  we  could  have  rode  out  the  gale,  we  should 
have  been  cut  up  by  their  shot  from  the  shore.  Under 
all  these  circumstance,  and  taking  into  view  the  conse 
quences  resulting  from  the  loss  ojf  our  superiority  on 
the  lake,  at  this  time,  1,  without  hesitation,  relinquished 
the  opportunity,  then  presenting  itself,  of  acquiring  in 
dividual  reputation,  at  the  expense  of  my  country. 
The  loss  sustained  by  this  ship  was  considerable,  owing 
to  her  being  so  long  exposed  to  the  fire  of  the  whole  of 
the  enemy's  fleet  ;  but  our  most  serious  loss  was  oc 
casioned  by  the  bursting  of  one  of  our  guns,  which 
killed  and  wounded  22  men,  and  tore  up  the  top-gal 
lant  forecastle,  which  rendered  the  gun,  upon  that 
deck,  useless.  We  had  4  other  guns  cracked  in  the 
muzzle,  which  rendered  their  use  extremely  doubtful. 
Our  main  top-gallant  mast  was  shot  away  in  the  early 
26 


302  RISE  AND  PROGRESS  OF 

part  of  the  action  ;  and  the  bowsprit,  fore  and  main-mast 
wounded  ;  rigging  and  sails  much  cut  up,  and  a  num 
ber  of  shot  in  our  hull — several  of  which  were  between 
wind  and  water  ;  and  27  men  killed  and  wounded  in 
cluding  those  by  the  bursting  of  the  gun.  The  Madi 
son  received  a  few  shot,  but  no  person  hurt  on  board  ; 
the  Gov.  Tompkins  lost  her  foremast,  and  the  Oneida 
her  main  top-mast  badly  wounded  ;  we  have,  however, 
repaired  all  our  damages,  and  are  ready  to  meet  the 
enemy. 

During  our  chase,  one  if  not  two  of  the  enemy's  ves 
sels  were  completely  in  our  power — if  I  could  have 
been  satisfied  with  so  partial  a  victory  ;  but  I  was  so 
sure  of  the  whole,  that  I  passed  them  unnoticed ;  by 
which  means  they  finally  escaped. 
1  have  the  honor,  to  be  &c. 

ISAAC  CHAUNCEY. 
*  Hon.  W.  Jones,  Sec.  of  the  Navy. 


CHAPTER  XXVIII. 

General  Operations  Continued. 

About  the  1st  of  Nov.  Gen.  Wilkinson  took  the  com 
mand  of  the  northern  army  ;  moved  his  whole  force  to 
Sackett's  harbour,  and  from  there  down  the  St.  Law 
rence  to  Ogdensburg,  where  he  issued  his  proclamation, 
and  appointed  a  meeting  with  Gen.  Hampton  at  St.  Re 
gis,  which  failed. 


THE  AMERICAN  NAVY.  303 

PROCLAMATION. 

JAMES  WILKINSON,  Major-General,  and  Commander  in  Chief 
of  an  Expedition  against  the  Canadas,  to  the  Inhabitants  thereof  : 

The  army  of  the  United  States,  which  I  have  the 
honor  to  command,  invades  these  Provinces — to  con 
quer,  and  not  to  destroy  ;  to  subdue  the  forces  of  his 
Britannic  majesty,  not  to  war  against  his  unoffending 
subjects.  Those,  therefore,  among  you,  who  remain 
quiet  at  home,  should  victory  incline  to  the  American 
standard,  shall  be  protected  in  their  persons  and  pro 
perty  ;  but  those  who  are  found  in  arms,  must  necessa 
rily  be  treated  as  avowed  enemies. 

To  menace,  is  unjust — to  seduce,  dishonorable — yet 
it  is  just  and  humane  to  place  these  alternatives,  before 
you. 

Done  at  the  Head-Quarters  of  the  Army  of  the  United 
States,  this  6th  day  of  November,  1813,  near  Og- 
densburg,  on  the  St.  Lawrence. 

JAMES  WILKINSON. 
By  the  General's  command, 
N.  PINKNEY, 

Major,  and  A.  D.   C. 


PROCEEDINGS  OF  THE  ARMY. 
From  Gen.  Wilkinson,  to  the  Secretary  of  War. 

Head-Quarters.,  French  Mills,  adjoining   the  Province  of 
Lower  Canada, 

November  16,  1813. 
SIR, 

I  beg  leave  to  refer  you  to  the  journal,  which  accom 
panies  this  letter,  for  the  particulars  of  the  movements 
of  the  corps,  under  my  command,  down  the  St.  Law 
rence,  and  will  endeavor  to  exert  my  enfeebled  mind  to 


304  RISE  AND  PROGRESS  (tP 

detail  to  you  the  more  striking  and  important  incidents? 
which  have  ensued  my  departure  from  Grenadier  Isl 
and,  at  the  foot  of  Lake  Ontario,  on  the  3d  instant. 

The  corps  of  the  enemy,  at  Kingston,  which  followed 
me,  hung  on  my  rear  ;  and,  in  concert  with  a  heavy 
galley,  and  a  few  gun-boats,  seemed  determined  to  re 
tard  my  progress.  I  was  strongly  tempted  to  halt — turn 
about,  and  put  an  end  to  his  teazing;  but,  alas!  I  was 
confined  to  my  bed — Maj.  Gen.  Lewis  was  too  ill  for 
any  active  exertion  ;  and,  above  all,  I  did  not  dare  suf 
fer  myself  to  be  diverted,  a  single  day,  from  a  prosecu 
tion  of  the  views  of  government.  I  had  written  iVlaj. 
Gen.  Hampton,  on  the  6th  inst.  by  his  Adjutant  Gener 
al^  Col.  King,  and  had  ordered  him  to  form  a  junction 
with  me,  on  the  St.  Lawrence,  which  I  expected  would 
take  place  on  the  9th  or  10th.  It  would  have  been  un 
pardonable,  had  I  lost  sight  of  this  object,  a  moment, 
as  I  deemed  it  of  vital  importance  to  the  issue  of  the 
campaign. 

The  enemy  deserve  credit  for  their  zeal  and  intelli 
gence,  which  the  active,  universal  hostility,  of  the  male 
inhabitants  of  the  country  enabled  them  to  employ,  to 
the  greatest  advantage.  Thus,  while  menaced  by  a 
respectable  force  in  the  rear,  the  coast  was  lined  with 
musquetry  in  the  front  at  every  critical  pass  of  the 
river,  which  obliged  me  to  march  a  detachment,  and  this 
impeded  my  progress. 

On  the  evening  of  the  9th  inst.  the  army  halted,  a 
few  miles  from  the  head  of  the  Longue  Saut ;  In  the 
morning  of  the  10th,  the  enclosed  order  was  issued. — 
General  Brown  marched  agreeably  to  order,  and  about 
noon  we  were  apprized,  by  the  report  of  his  artillery, 
that  he  was  engaged,  some  distance  below  us.  At  the 
same  time,  the  enemy  were  observed  in  our  rear;  and 
their  galley  and  gun-boats  approached  our  flotilla,  and 
opened  a  tire  upon  us,  which  obliged  me  to  order  a  bat 
tery  of  18  pounders  to  be  planted,  and  a  shot  from  it 
compelled  the  vessels  of  the  enemy  to  retire,  together 


THE  AMERICAN  NAVY-  305 

with  their  troops,  after  some  firing  between  the  advan 
ced  parties. 

But,  by  this  time,  in  consequence  of  disembarking, 
and  re-embarking  the  heavy  guns,  the  day  was  so  far 
spent,  that  our  pilots  did  not  dare  to  enter  the  Saut ; 
(eight  miles,  a  continued  rapid,)  and,  therefore,  we  fell 
down  about  two  miles,  and  come  to  for  the  night. 

Early  the  next  morning,  every  thing  was  in  readiness 
for  motion  ;  but,  having  received  no  intelligence  from 
Gen.  Brown,  I  was  still  delayed,  as  sound  caution  pre 
scribed  I  should  learn  the  result  of  the  affair,  before  I 
committed  the  flotilla  to  the  Saut.  At  half  past  10,  A. 
M«  an  officer  of  dragoons  arrived  with  a  letter,  in 
which  the  General  informed  me  he  had  forced  the  ene 
my,  and  would  reach  the  foot  of  the  Saut,  early  in  the 
day.  Orders  were  immediately  given,  for  the  flotilla  to 
sail;  at  which  instant  the  enemy's  gun-boats  appeared, 
and  began  to  throw  shot  among  us  ;  information  was 
brought  me,  at  the  same  time,  from  Brig.  General  Boyd, 
that  the  enemy's  troops  were  advancing  in  column  ;  I 
immediately  sent  orders  to  him  to  attack  them.  This 
report  was  soon  contradicted  ;  their  boats,  however, 
continued  to  scratch  us,  and  a  variety  of  reports  of 
their  movements,  and  counter-movements,  were 
brought  to  me  in  succession  ;  which  convinced  me  of 
their  determination  to  hazard  an  attack,  when  it  could 
be  done  to. the  greatest  advantage;  and,  therefore,  I 
resolved  to  anticipate  them.  Directions  were,  accord 
ingly,  sent,  by  that  distinguished  officer,  Col.  Swift,  of 
the  engineers,  to  Brig.  Gen.  Boyd,  to  throw  the  detach 
ments  of  his  command,  assigned  to  him  in  the  order  of 
the  preceding  day,  and  composed  of  men  of  his  own, 
Covington's  and  Swartvvout's  brigades,  into  three  col 
umns,  to  march  upon  the  enemy,  outflank  them  if  pos 
sible,  and  take  their  artillery.  The  action  soon  after 
commenced  with  the  advanced  body  of  the  enemy,  and 
became  extremely  sharp  and  galling,  and  with  occa 
sional  pauses,  not  sustained  with  great  vivacity,  in  open 
26* 


306  RISE  AND  PROGRESS  OF 

space  and  fair  combat,  for  upwards  of  two  and  an  half 
hours,  the  adverse  lines  alternately  yielding  and  advan 
cing. 

It  is  impossible  to  say,  with  accuracy,  what  was  our 
number  on  the  field ;  because  it  consisted  of  indefin 
ite  detachments,  taken  from  the  boats,  to  render  safe  the 
passage  of  the  Saut.  Generals  Covington  and  Swart- 
wout  voluntarily  took  part  in  the  action,  at  the  head  of 
detachments  from  their  respective  brigades,  and  exhibi 
ted  the  same  courage  that  was  displayed  by  Brig.  Gen. 
Boyd,  who  happened  to  be  the  senior  officer  on  the 
ground.  Our  force,  engaged,  might  have  reached  16 
or  1700  men;  but  actually  did  not  exceed  1800; — 
that  the  enemy  was  estimated  from  1200  to  2000,  but 
probably  did  not  amount  to  more  than  15  or  1600 — 
consisting,  as  I  am  informed,  of  detachments  from  the 
49th,  84th  and  104th  regiments  of  the  line  ;  with  three 
companies  of  the  Voltigeur  and  Glengary  corps,  and  the 
militia  of  the  country,  who  are  not  included  in  the  es 
timate. 

It  would  be  presumptuous  in  me  to  attempt  to  give 
you  a  detailed  account  of  this  affair,  which  certainly 
reflects  high  honor  on  the  valor  of  the  American  sol 
dier;  as  no  examples  can  be  produced  of  undisciplined 
men,  with  inexperienced  officers,  braving  a  fire  of  two 
hours  and  a  half,  without  quitting  the  field,  or  yielding 
to  their  antagonists.  But,  sir,  the  information  I  now 
give  you,  is  derived  from  officers  in  my  confidence,  who 
took  parts  in  this  conflict  ;  for,  though  I  was  enabled 
to  order  the  attack,  it  was  my  hard  fortune  not  to  be 
able  to  lead  the  troops  I  commanded  ;  the  disease,  with 
which  I  was  assailed  the  2d  September*  on  my  journey 
to  fort  George,  having,  with  a  few  short  intervals  of 
convalescence,  preyed  on  me  ever  since  ;  and,  at  the 
moment  of  this  action,  I  was  confined  to  my  bed,  and 
emaciated  almost  to  a  skeleton ;  unable  to  sit  on  ray 
horse,  or  to  move  ten  paces  without  assistance. 


THE  AMERICAN  NAVY.  307 

I  must,  however,  be  pardoned  for  trespassing  on  your 
time  a  few  remarks,  in  relation  to  the   affair: — the  ob 
jects  of  the   British   and  American  commanders  were 
precisely  opposed — the  last  being  bound  by  instructions 
of  his  government,  and  the  most  solemn   obligations  of 
duty,  to  precipitate  his  descent  of  the   St.  Lawrence, 
by  every  practicable  means  ;  because,  this  being  effect 
ed,  one  of  the  greatest  difficulties  opposed  to  the  Ameri 
can  arms  would  be  surmounted — and  the  first,  by  duties 
equally  imperious,  to  retard,  and,  if  possible,  to  prevent 
such  descent.     He  is  to  be  accounted  victorious,  who 
effects  his  purpose  !     The  British  commander,  having 
failed  to  gain  either  of  his  objects,  can  lay  no  claim  to 
the  honors  of  the  day  ;  the  battle   fluctuated,  and  the 
triumph  seemed,  at  different  times,  inclined  to  the  con 
tending  corps  ;  the   front  of  the  enemy  were,  at   first, 
forced  back  more  than  a  mile  ;  and,  though  they  never 
regained  the  ground  they  lost,  their  stand  was  perma 
nent,  and  their  charges  resolute.     Amidst  these  char 
ges,  and   near  the  close  of  the   contest,  we  lost  a  field 
piece,  by  the  fall  of  the  officer,  who  was  serving  it  with 
the  same  coolness,  as  if  he  had  been  at  a  parade  of  re 
view  ;  this  was  Lieutenant  Smith,  of  the  light  artillery, 
who,  in  point  of  merit,  stood  at  the  head  of  his   grade. 
The  enemy  having  halted,  and  our  troops  being  formed 
again,  in  battalion,  front  to  front,  and  the  firing  having 
ceased  on  both  sides,  we  resumed  our  position  on   the 
bank  of  the  river,  and  the  infantry  being  much  fatigued, 
the  whole  were  re-embarked,    and   proceeded  further 
down  the  river,  without  further  annoyance  from  the  en 
emy  or  their  gun-boats — while  the  dragoons,   with  ive 
pieces   of    light  artillery,    marched  down  the  Canada 
ihore  without  molestation. 

It  is  due  to  his  rank,  to  his  worth,  and  his  services, 
that  I  should  make  particular  mention  of  Brig.  Gen. 
Covington,  who  received  a  mortal  wouad  directly 
through  the  body,  while  animating,  his  men,  and  leading 


308  RISE  AND  PROGRESS  OF 

them  to  the  charge — he  fell,  where  he  fought,  at  the 
head  of  his  men,  and  survived  but  two  days. 

The  next  morning  the  flotilla  passed  the  Saut,  and 
joined  that  excellent  officer,  Brig.  Gen.  Brown,  at 
Barnhart's  near  Cornwall,  where  he  had  been  instruct 
ed  to  take  post,  and  wait  my  arrival ;  and  where  I  con 
fidently  expected  to  hear  of  Maj.  Gen.  Hampton's  arri 
val,  on  the  opposite  shore.  But,  imrnedtately  after  I 
halted,  Col.  Atkinson,  the  Inspector-General  of  the  di 
vision  under  Maj.  Gen.  Hampton,  waited  on  me,  with 
a  letter  from  that  officer  ;  in  which,  to  my  unspeakable 
mortification  and  surprize,  he  declined  the  junction  or 
dered,  and  informed  me  he  was  marching  towards  Lake 
Champlain,  by  way  of  co-operating  in  the  proposed  at 
tack  on  Montreal.  This  letter,  together  with  a  copy  of 
that  to  which  it  was  an  answer,  were  immediately  submit 
ted  to  a  Council  of  War,  consisting  of  my  general  officers, 
and  the  colonel  commanding  the  elite,  the  chief  engin 
eer,  and  the  Adjutant-General — who  unanimously  gave 
it  as  their  opinion  "  that  the  attack  oji  Montreal  should 
be  abandoned  for  the  present  season,  and  the  army 
near  Cornwall  should  be  immediately  crossed  to  the 
American  shore,  for  taking  up  winter  quarters  ;  and  that 
this  place  afforded  an  eligible  situation  for  such  quar 
ters." 

I  acquiesced  in  these  opinions,  not  from  the  shortness 
of  the  stock  of  provisions,  (which  had  been  reduced  by 
the  acts  of  God.  (because  that  our  meat  had  been  in 
creased  live  days  ;  and  our  bread  had  been  reduced  only 
two  days  ;  and.  because  we  could,  in  case  of  extremity, 
have  lived  upon  the  enemy — bat  because  the  loss  of 
Maj.  Gen.  Hampton  weakened  my  force  too  sensibly,  to 
justify  the  attempt.  In  all  my  measures,  and  movements 
of  moment,  I  have  taken  the  opinions  of  my  general  of 
ficers,  which  have  been  in  accord  with  my  own. 

I  remained  on  the  Canada  shore  until  the  next  day, 
without  seeing  or  hearing  from  the  "  powerful  force" 
of  the  enem^  in  our  neighborhood,  and  the  same  day 


THE  AMERICAN  NAVY.  309 

reached  this  position,  with  the  artillery  and  infantry. 
The  dragoons  have  been  ordered  to  Utjca,  and  its  vi 
cinity;  and,  I  expect,  are  50  or  GO  miles  on  their 
march. 

You  have,  under  cover,  a  summary  abstract  of  the 
killed  and  wounded,  in  the  affair  of  the  llth  instant, 
which  shall  soon  be  followed  by  a  particular  return^  in 
which  a  just  regard  shall  be  paid  to  individual  merits — 
the  dead  rest  in  honor,  and  the  wounded  bled  for  thfcir 
country,  and  deserve  its 'gratitude. 

With  perfect  respect,  &c. 

JAMES  WILKINSON. 

In  the  action  of  the  1 1th  inst.  the  American  loss  was 
102  killed,  and  232  wounded — total,  killed  and  wound 
ed,  334. 


THE  PROPOSED  JUNCTION. 

From  General  Wilkinson,  to  General  Hampton. 
H.  Q.   cf  the  Army,  7  miles  above  Ogdensburg^ 


6,    1813. 
SIR, 

I  address  you  afe  the  special  instance  of  the  Secretary 
of  War,  who,  by  bad  roads,  worse  weather,  and  ill 
health,  was  diverted  from  meeting  me,  near  this  place, 
and  determined  to  tread  hack  his  steps  to  Washington, 
from  Antwerp,  on  the  $9th  ult. 

I  am  destined  to,  and  determined  on  the  attack  of 
Montreal,  if  not  prevented  by  some  act  of  God  ;  and  to 
give  security  to  the  enterprise,  the  division  under  your 
command  must  co-operate  with  the  corps  under  my  im 
mediate  orders.  The  point  of  rendezvous  is  the  cir 
cumstance  of  greatest  interest  to  the  issue  of  this  ope 
ration  ;  and  the  distance  which  separates  us,  and  my  ig 
norance  of  the  practicability,  of  the  direct  or  devious 


310  RISE   AND  PROGRESS  OF 

routes,  by  which  you  must  march,  make  it  necessary  that 
your  own  judgement  should  determine  that  point.  To 
assist  you  in  making  the  soundest  determination,  and  to 
take  the  most  prompt  and  determined  measures,  I  can 
only  inform  you  of  my  intentions  and  situation,  iri  some 
respects  of  first  importance; — I  shall  pass  Prescott  to 
nigU|,  because  the  stage  of  the  season  will  not  allow  me 
three  days  to  take  it — shall  cross  the  cavalry  at  Hamil 
ton,  which  will  not'require  a  day; — I  shall  thence  press 
forward,  and  break  down  every  opposition,  to  this  riv 
er,  there  to  cross  the  IsJe  Perrot,  and,  with  my  scows, 
to  bridge  the  narrow  inner  channel,  and  thus  obtain 
foot-hold  on  Montreal  Island,  at  about  20  miles  from 
the  city ;  after  which,  our  artillery,  bayonets,  and 
swords,  must  secure  our  triumph,  or  provide  ushonour- 
ble  graves. 

Inclosed  you  have  a  memorandum  of  field  and  batter 
ing  train,  pretty  well  found  in  fixed  ammunition,  which 
may  enable  you  to  dismiss  your  own  ;  but  we  are  defi 
cient  in  loose  powder,  and  musquet  cartridges;  and, 
therefore,  hope  you  maybe  abundantly  found. 

On  the  subject  of  provisions,  I  wish  I  could  give  a  fa 
vorable  information  ;  our  whole  stock  of  bread  may  be 
computed  at  about  15  days,  and  our  meat  at  20.  In 
speaking  on  this  subject  to  the  Secretary  of  War,  he  in 
formed  me,  ample  magazines  were  laid  up  on  Lake 
Champlain,  and,  therefore,  I  must  request  of  you  to  or 
der  forward  two  or  three  months  supply,  by  the  safest 
route,  in  a  direction  to  the  proposed  scene  of  action, 
have  submitted  the  state  of  our  provisions  to  my  general 
officers,  who  unanimously  agree  that  it  should  not  pre 
vent  the  progress  of  the  expedition,  and  they  also  agree 
in  opinion,  if  you  are  not  in  force  to  face  the  enemy,  you 
should  meet  us  at  St.  Regis,  or  its  vicinitty. 

I  shall  expect  to  hear  from,  if  not  see  you  at  that 
place  ou  the  9th. 

I  have  the  honor,  &c. 

JAMES  WILKINSON. 

Maj.  Gen.  HAMPTON. 


THE  AMERICAN  NAVY.  31J 

ANSWER. 

From  Gen.  Hampton  to  Gen.  Wilkinson. 

Head-Quarters,  Four  Corners, 

November   8,   1813. 
SIR, 

I  had  the  honor  to  receive,  at  a  late  hour  last  evening, 
by  Col.  King,  your  communication  of  the  6th  ;  and  was 
deeply  impressed  with  a  sense  of  the  responsibility  it 
imposed,  of  deciding  upon  the  means  of  our  co-opera 
tion.  The  idea  suggested,  as  the  opinion  of  your  offi 
cers,  of  effecting  the  junction  at  St.  Regis,  was  most 
pleasing,  as  being  most  immediate,  until  I  came  to  the 
disclosure  of  the  amount  of  your  supplies  of  provisions. 
Col.  Atkinson  will  explain  the  reasons,  that  would  have 
rendered  it  impossible  for  me  to  have  brought  more  than 
each  man  could  have  carried  on  his  back  ;  and,  when  I 
reflected,  that  in  throwing  myself  upon  your  scanty 
means,  I  should  be  weakening  you  in  your  most  vulner 
able  point,  I  did  not  hesitate  to  adopt  the  opinion  after 
consulting  the  general  and  principal  officers,  tha't,  by 
throwing  myself  back  on  my  main  depot,  when  all  the 
means  of  transportation  had  gone,  and  falling  upon  the 
enemy's  flank,  and  straining  every  effort  to  open  a  com 
munication  from  Plattsburgh  to  Coghnowaga,  or  any 
other  point  you  may  indidicate  on  the  St.  Lawrence  I 
should  more  effectually  contribute  to  your  succeed 
-han  by  a  junction  at  St.  Regis  rthe  way  is,  in  many 
places  blockaded  and  abaited,  and  the  road  impracti 
cable  for  wheel-carriages  during  the  winter;  but,  by 
the  employment  of  pack-horses,  if  I  am  not  overpower- 
ed  I  hope  to  prevent  your  starving.  I  have  ascertained, 
and  witnessed,  that  the  plan  of  the  enemy  is  to  burn,  and 
consume  every  thing  in  our  advance.  My  troops,  and 
other  means,  will  be  described  to  you  by  Col.  Atkinson  - 
Besides  the  rawness  and  sickness,  they  have  endured  fu- 


RISE  AND  PROGRESS  OF 

eaual  to  a  winter's  campaign,  in  the  late  snows 
InTb^weather,  and  'are  sadly  dispirited  and  alien 
off;  but,  upon  this  subject,!  must  referyou  to  ( 

kinWith  these  means,  what  can  be  accomplished  by  hu 
man  exertion,  1  will  attempt-with  a  mmd  devoted  to 
the  general  objects  of  the  campaign. 
I  have  the  honor,  &t 

His  Ex.  Maj.  Gen.  J.  WILKINSON. 

AFFAIR  AT  CHATAUGAY. 

Copy  or  aMte^Ge^™  Hasten,  to  U,  Sec.U,  - 

Head-Quarters, Four  Corners,*'™.  1,  1813. 
Sm-On  the  morning  of  the  21st  ult.  the  army  com- 

OIK       ^ll  L11^  *  ,T       f^i^^i-^^rrntT    tr»r  tnp  rsin'' 


THE  AMERICAN  NAVY.  313 

and  24th  were  employed  in  completing  the  road,  and 
getting  up  the  artillery  and  stores. 

I  had  arranged,  at  my  departure,  under  the  direction 
of  Major  Parker,  a  line  of  communication,  as  far  up  the 
St.  Lawrence  as  Ogdenshurgh,  for  the  purpose  of  hast 
ening;  to  me'  the  earliest  notice  of  the  progress  of  our 
army  down.  I  had  surmounted  24  miles  of  the  most 
difficult  part  of  the  route,  and  had,  in  advance  of  me, 
seven  miles  of  open  country  ;  but,  at  the  end  of  that 
distance,  commenced  a  wood  of  some  miles  in  extent, 
which  had  been  formed  into  an  entire  abattis,  and  tilled 
by  a  succession  of  wooden  breast-works,  the  rearmost 
of  which  were  supplied  with  ordnance.  In  front  of 
these  defences  were  placed  the  Indian  force,  and  light 
corps  of  the  enemy  ;  and,  in  the  rear,  all  of  his  dispos 
able  force.  As  the  extent  of  this  force  depended  upon 
his  sense  of  danger  on  the  St.  Lawrence,  it  was  a  cause 
of  regret  that  all  communications,  from  yourself  or  Ma 
jor  Parker  seemed  to  be  at  an  end.  As  it  was,  howev 
er,  believed  that  the  enemy  was  hourly  adding  to  his 
strength,  in  this  position — if  free  from  the  apprehension 
of  danger  from  above,  an  effort  was  judged  necessary  to 
dislodge  him  ;  and,  if  it  succeeded,  we  should  be  in  pos 
session  of  a  position  which  we  could  hold  as  long  as  any 
doubts  remained  of  what  was  passing  above,  and  of  the 
real  part  to  be  assigned  us. 

Ourguides  assured  us  of  a  shoal  and  practicable  ford- 
ing-place,  opposite  the  lower  flank  of  the  enemy's  de 
fences  ;  and  that  the  wood,  on  the  opposite  side  of  the 
river,  a  distance  of  seven  or  eight  miles,  was  practicable 
for  the  passage  of  the  troops.  Col.  Purdy,  with  the 
light  corps,  and  a  strong  body  of  infantry  of  the  line, 
was  detached,  at  an  early  hour  of  the  night  of  the  25th, 
to  gain  this  ford  by  the  morning,  and  to  commence  his 
attack  in  the  rear  ;  and  that  was  to  be  the  signal  for  the 
army  to  fall  on  in  front — and,  it  was  believed,  the  pass 
might  be  carried,  before  the  enemy's  distant  troops  could 
be  brought  forward  to  its  support. 
27 


31 4  RISE  AND  PROGRESS  OF 

I  had  returned  to  my  quarters,  from  Purdy  1s  column, 
about  9  o'clock  at  night,  when  I  found  a  iMr.  Baldwin, 
of  the  Quarter-Master  General's  department,  who  put 
into  my  hands  an  open  paper,  containing  instructions  to 
him,  from  the  Quarter-Master  General,  respecting  the 
building  of  huts  for  the  army,  in  Chataugay,  below  the 
line.  This  paper  sunk  my  hopes,  and  raised  serious 
doubts  of  receiving  that  efficacious  support  which  had 
been  anticipated  ;  I  would  have  recalled  the  column, 
but  it  was  in  motion — and  the  darkness  of  the  night  ren 
dered  it  impracticable.  I  could  only  go  forward.  The 
army  was  put  in  motion  on  the  morning  of  the  26th, 
leaving  its  baggage,  &c.  on  the  ground  of  encampment. 

On  advancing  near  the  enemy,  it  was  found  that  the 
column,  on  the  opposite  side,  was  not  as  far  advanced 
as  had  been  anticipated  ;  the  guides  had  misled  it,  and 
finally  failed  in  finding  the  ford.  We  could  not  commu 
nicate  with  it,  but  only  awaited  the  at'ack  below. — 
About  two  o'clock  the  firing  commenced,  and  our  troops 
advanced  rapidly  to  the  attack.  The  enemy's  light 
troops  commenced  a  sharp  fire,  but  Brig.  Gen.  Izard 
advanced,  with  his  brigade — drove  him  every  where  be 
hind  his  defences,  and  silenced  the  fire  in  his  front. — 
This  brigade  would  have  pushed  forward,  as  far  as  cou 
rage,  skill  and  perseverance  could  have  carried  it ;  but, 
on  advancing,  it  was  found  that  the  firing  had  commen 
ced  on  the  opposite  side,  and  the  ford  had  not  been  gain 
ed.  The  enemy  retired  behind  his  defences  ;  but  a 
renewal  of  his  attack  was  expected,  and  the  troops  re 
mained  some  time  in  their  position  to  meet  it.  The 
troops,  on  the  opposite  side,  were  excessively  fatigued  ; 
the  enterprize  had  failed  in  its  main  point  ;  and  Col. 
Purdy  was  ordered  to  withdraw  his  column  to  a  shoal, 
four  or  five  miles  above,  and  cross  over.  The  day  was 
spent,  and  Gen.  Izard  was  ordered  to  withdraw  his  bri 
gade  to  a  position,  three  miles  in  the  rear,  to  which  place 
the  baggage  had  been  ordered  forward. 

The  slowness,  and  order,  with  which  Gen.  Izard  reti- 


THE  AMERICAN  NAVY. 

red  with  his  brigade,  could  but  have  inspired  the  enemy 
with  respect  ;  they  presumed  not  to  venture  a  shot  at 
him  during  his  movement  ;  but  the  unguardedness  of 
some  part  of  Purdy's  command  exposed  him  to  a  rear 
attack  from  the  Indians,  which  was  repeated  after  dark, 
and  exposed  him  to  some  loss ;  these  attacks  were  al 
ways  repelled,  and  must  have  cost  the  enemy  as  many 
lives  as  we  lost.  Our  entire  loss,  of  killed,  wounded 
and  missing,  does  not  exceed  50.  In  its  new  position, 
within  three  miles  of  the  enemy's  post,  the  army  en 
camped  on  the  night  of  the  26th,  and  remained  until  12 
o'clock  of  the  28th.  All  the  deserters,  of  whom  there 
were  four,  having  concurred  in  the  information  that  Sir 
George  Prevost,  with  three  other  general  officers,  had 
arrived,  with  the  whole  of  his  disposable  force,  and  lay 
in  the  rear  of  these  defences  ;  and  a  letter  from  Major 
Parker,  (by  express,  received  on  the  evening  of  the 
26th,)  having  informed  me  that  no  movements  of  our 
army,  down  the  St.  Lawrence,  had  been  heard  of  at  Og- 
densburgh,  and  for  some  distance  above.  The  follow 
ing  questions  were  submitted  to  the  commanding  offi 
cers  of  brigades,  regiments  and  corps,  and  the  heads  of 
the  general  staff,  in  a  council,  convened  for  the  purpose  : 
"  Is  it  advisable,  under  existing  circumstances,  to  renew 
the  attack  on  the  enemy's  position  ;  and,  if  not,  what 
position  is  it  advisable  for  the  army  ta  take,  until  it  can 
receive  advices  of  the  advance  of  the  grand  army  down 
the  St.  Lawrence  ?"  The  opinion  of  the  council  was 
expressed  in  the  following  words  : — "  It  is  the  unani 
mous  opinion  of  this  council,  that  it  is  necessary,  for  the 
preservation  of  this  army,  and  the  fulfilment  of  the  os 
tensible  views  of  the  government,  that  we  immediately 
return,  by  orderly  marches,  to  such  a  position,  (Chatau- 
gay,)  as  will  secure  our  communications  with  the  U. 
States,  either  to  retire  into  winter  quarters,  or  to  be  rea 
dy  to  strike  below."  In  pursuance  of  this  opinion,  the 
army  has  returned,  by  slow  marches,  to  this  place,  and 
now  awaits  the  orders  of  the  government.  Its  conditions 


316  RISE  AND  PROGRESS  OF 

will  be  stated  by  the  bearer,  Col.  King,  who  can  give 
you,  upon  every  point,   more  full  and  perfect  informa 
tion,  than  could  be  contained  in  a  written  detail. 
I  have  the  honor,  &c. 

w.  HAMPTON. 

HON.  J.  ARMSTRONG, 

Sec'y.  War. 


CHAPTER  XXIX. 

General  Operations   Continued. 

During  these  movements,  general  McClure  evacuated 
fort  George  ;  set  fire  to  the  village  of  Newark,  and  re 
tired  out  of  Canada. 

General  Harrison  had  followed  up  his  victory,  and 
proceeded  down  to  join  general  Wilkinson;  but  his 
movements  were  so  hasty,  that  he  left  the  whole  Niaga 
ra  frontier  uncovered.  The  enemy  availed  himself  of 
this  ;  crossed  over  and  burnt  the  village  of  Buffalo,  with 
several  others,  to  revenge  the  destruction  of  Newark  : 
took  fort  Niagara,  and  put  the  garrison  to  the  sword. 


LOSS  OF  FORT  NIAGARA. 

Copy  of  a  letter  from  Gen.  M'Clure,  of  the  New- York  State  troops 
to  the  Secretary  of  War. 

H.  Quarters,  Buffalo,  Dec.  22,  1013. 

SIR — I  regret  to  be  under  the  necessity  of  announcing 
to  you  the  mortifying  intelligence  of  the  loss  of  Fort  Ni 
agara.  On  the  morning  of  the  1 9th  inst.  about  4  o'clock, 


THE  AMERICAN  NAVY.  317 

the  enemy  crossed  the  river  at  the  Five-mile  Meadows, 
in  great  force — consisting  of  regulars  and  Indians,  who 
macbe  their  way,  undiscovered,  to  the  garrison,  which, 
from  the  most  correct  information  I  could  collect,  was 
completely  surprised.  Our  men  were  nearly  all  asleep 
in  their  tents — the  enemy  rushed  in,  and  commenced  a 
most  horrid  slaughter  ;  such  as  escaped  the  fury  of  the 
first  onset  retired  to  the  old  mess-house,  where  they  kept 
up  a  destructive  fire  on  the  enemy,  until  a  want  of  am 
munition  compelled  them  to  surrender.  Although  our 
force  was  very  inferior,  and  comparatively  small  indeed, 
I  am  induced  to  think  that  the  disaster  is  not  attributable 
to  any  want  of  troops,  but  to  gross  neglect  in  the  com 
manding  officer  of  the  fort,  Captain  Leonard,  in  not  pre 
paring,  being  ready,  and  looking  out  for  the  expected 
attack. 

I  have  not  heen  able  to  ascertain,  correctly,  the  num 
ber  of  killed  and  wounded  ;  about  twenty  regulars  have 
escaped  out  of  the  fort,  some  badly  wounded.  Lieut. 
Peck,  of  the  24th  regiment,  is  killed,  and  it  is  said  three 
others.  You  will  perceive,  sir,  by  the  enclosed  general 
orders,  that  I  apprehended  an  attack,  and  made  the  ne 
cessary  arrangements  to  meet  it  ;  but  have  reason  to 
believe,  from  information  received  by  those  who  have 
made  their  escape,  that  the  commandant  did  riot,  in  any 
respect,  comply  with  those  orders. 

On  the  same  morning,  a  detachment  under  Major 
Bennet,  stationed  at  Lewiston  Heights,  was  attacked  by 
a  party  of  savages  ;  but  the  Major,  and  his  little  corps, 
by  making  a  desperate  charge,  effected  their  retreat,  af 
ter  being  surrounded  by  several  hundred,  with  the  loss 
of  six  or  eight,  who  doubtless  were  killed,  among  whom 
were  two  sons  of  Capt.  Jones,  Indian  interpreter.  The 
villages  of  Youngstown,  Lewistown,  Manchester,  and 
the  Indian  Tuscarora  village,  were  reduced  to  ashes  ; 
and  the  inoffensive  inhabitants,  who  could  not  escape, 
were,  without  regard  to  age  or  sex,  inhumanly  butcher 
ed  by  savages,  headed  by  British  officers,  painted.  A 
27* 


318  RISE  AND  PROGRESS  OF 

British  officer,  who  is  taken  prisoner,  avows,  that  many 
small  children  were  murdered  by  their  Indians.  Major 
Mallory,  who  was  stationed  at  Schlosser,  with  about  40 
Canadian  volunteers,  advanced  to  Lewistown  Heightsr 
and  compelled  the  advanced  guard  of  the  enemy  to  fall 
back  to  the  foot  of  the  mountain;  the  Major  is  a  meri 
torious  officer  ;  he  fought  the  enemy  two  days,  and  con 
tended  every  inch  of  ground  to  the  Tautawanty  creek. 
In  these  actions,  Lieut  Lowe,  23d  regiment  U.  S.  infant 
ry,  and  8  of  the  Canadian  volunteers,,  were  killed.  I. 
had,  myself,  three  days  previous  to  the  attack  on  the 
Niagara,  left  it  with  a  view  of  providing  for  the  defence 
of  this  place,  Black  Rock,  and  the  other  villages  on  this 
frontier.  I  came  here  without  troops,  and  have  called 
out  the  militia  of  Genesee,  Niagara  and  Chatauque  coun 
ties,  en  masse. 

I  have  the  honor,  &c. 

GEO.  M'CLURE,  Brig.  Gen.  Comg. 
Hon.  J.  ARMSTRONG. 

These  movements  closed  the  campaign  of  the  north* 
and  both  armies  went  into  winter  quarters. 


THE  AMERICAN  NAVY. 

CHAPTER  XXX. 

A  General  View  of  the  Southern  War. 

VICTORY  OVER  THE  CREEKS. 

Copy  of  a  letter  from  Major  General  Cocke,  to  the  Secretary  of 
War,  dated 

H.  Q.  Fort  Armstrong,  JVW.  28,  1813. 

SIR — I  have  the  honor  to  enclose  you  a  copy  of  Brig. 
Gen.  James  White's  detailed  report  of  his  excursion  to 
theHillibee  Towns. 

I  am,  &c. 

JOHN  COCKE,  Maj.  Gen, 

GEN.  WHITE'S  REPORT. 

Fort  Armstrong,  Nov.  24M,  1813. 

Dear  General—In  mine  of  the  1 9th  instant,  by  Major 
Outlaw,  I  promised  you  a  detailed  report,  respecting 
the  detachment  ordered  by  you  to  the  Hillibee  Towns. 
in i  the  Creek  nation.  In  compliance  with  that  promised 
1  have  now  the  honor  to  state -That,  under  your  order 
of  the  1  Ithinst.  I  immediately  marched  with  the  mount 
ed  infantry,  under  the  immediate  command  of  Colonel 
Burch  ;  the  cavalry,  under  the  command  of  Major  Por 
ter  ;  and  a  few  of  the  Cherokee  Indians,  under  the  com 
mand  of  Col.  Morgan— with  very  short  rations  for  four 
days  only.  We  continued  our  march  to  little  Oakfuskie. 
when  we  fell  in  with  and  captured  five  hostile  Creek 
rrarnori,  supposed  to  be  spies.  Finding  no  other  In- 


320  R1SE  AND 

dians  at  that  place,  we  burned  the  town,  which  consist- 
ed  of  30  houses.     We  then  proceeded  to  a  town  called 
Genalea,  and  burned  the  same,  which  consisted  of 
houses  ;  thence  we  proceeded  to  Nitty  Chap toa,  con 
sisting  of  about  25  houses,  which  I  considered  it  most 
prudent  not  to  destroy,  as  it  might  possibly  be  of  use  at 
some  future  period.      From  thence  we  marched  to  the 
Hillibee  Town,  consisting  of  about  20  houses,  adjom- 
ina  which  was  Grayson's  farm.     Previous  to  our  arri 
val  at  that  place,  I  was  advised  that  a  part  of  the  hostile 
Creeks  was  assembled  there.     Having  marched  within 
six  or  seven  miles  of  it,  on  the  17th,  I  dismounted  a  part 
of  the  force  under  my  command,  and  sent  them,  ir 
the  command  of  Col.  Burch,  with  the  Cherokees,  under 
the  command  of  Col.  Morgan,  in  advance   to  surround 
the  town  in  the  night,  and  make  the  attack  at  day-light 
on  the  18th.     Owing  to  the  darkness  of  the  night,  the 
town  was  not  reached  until  after  day-light— but  so  com 
plete  was  the  surprise,  that  we  succeeded  in  surround- 
ing  the  town,  and  killing,  and  capturing  almost   (rf  not 
entirely)  the   whole  of  the  hostile  Creeks  assembled 
Sconsikg  ^  about  316,  of  which  number  about 
60  warriors  were  killed  on  the  spot,  and  the  remainder 
made  prisoners.     Before  the  close  of  the  engagement, 
my  whole  force  was  up,  and  ready  for  action    had  it  be 
come  necessary  ;  but,  owing  to  the  want  of  know ^  edge 
on  the  part  of  the  Indians,  of  our  approach,  the)  weit 
entirely  killed  and  taken  before  they  could  prepare  for 
any  effectual  defence.     We  lost  not  one  drop  of  blood 
in  accomplishing  this   enterprise.     We  destroyed  thi, 
village  ;  and,  in  obedience  to  your  orders,  commenced 
our  march  for  this  post,  which  we  were  ^^>^ 
until  yesterday.     1  estimate  the  distance,  from  this 
GraUn's  farm,  at  about  100  miles.     The  ground  over 
which  we  travelled,  is  so  rough  and  hilly  as  to  render  a 
passage  very  difficult.     Many  defiles  it  was  impossible 
to  pass  in  safety,  without  the  greatest  precaution.    *  or 
a  part  of  the  time,  the  weather  was  so  very  wet,  b 


THE   AMERICAN  NAVY.  321 

encumbered  with  prisoners,  and  the  troops,  and  their 
horses  having  to  subsist,  in  a  very  great  degree,  upon 
such  supplies  as  we  could  procure  in  the  nation,  render 
ed  our  march  more  tardy  than  it  otherwise  would  have 
been. 

The  troops  under  my  command  have  visited  the  heart 
of  that  section  of  the  Creek  nations  where  the  Red 
Sticks  were  first  distributed, 

In  justice  to  thii  gallant  band,  I  am  proud  to  state, 
that  the  whole  of  the  officers  and  men,  under  the  com 
mand  of  Col.  Burch,  performed  their  duty  cheerfully, 
and  without  complaint — that  from  the  cool,  orderly  and 
prompt  manner  in  which  Major  Porter,  and  the  cavalry 
under  his  command  formed  and  conducted  themselves  in 
every  case  of  alarm,  I  had  the  highest  confidence  in 
them.  Col.  Morgan,  and  the  Chcrokees  underhis  com 
mand,  gave  undeniable  evidence  that  they  merit  the  em 
ploy  of  their  government.  In  short,  sir  the  whole  de 
tachment  under  my  command,  conducted  in  such  a  man 
ner  as  to  enable  me  to  assure  you  that  they  are  capable 
of  performing  any  thing  to  which  the  same  number  of 
men  are  equal. 

It  gives  me  pleasure  to  add,  that  Mr.   M'Corry,   who 
acted  as   my  aid  in   this  expedition,  rendered  services 
that  to  me  were  indispensable  — to  his  country  very  use 
ful,  and  to  himself  highly  honorable. 
I  have  the  honor  to  be,  &c. 

JAMES  WHITE,  Brig.  Gen, 

Maj.Gen.  JOHN  COCKE, 


322  RISE  AND  PROGRESS  OF 


GEN.   FLOYD'S  VICTORY  OVER  THE 
CREEKS. 

Head-Quarters,  6th  and  1th  Districts. 

Milledgeville,  1th  Dec.   1813. 
SIR, 

I  have  the  honor  of  enclosing  to  you  a  copy  of  the 
official  account  which  I  have  just  received  from  Bri 
gadier-General  Floyd,  of  an  attack  made  by  him  on  the 
hostile  Indians,  and  sincerely  congratulate  your  excel 
lency  on  the  good  conduct  and  bravery  displayed  on 
this  occasion  by  the  officers  and  troops  of  the  state  in 
which  you  preside. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  &c. 

THOMAS  PINCKNEY. 
His  excellency  PETER  EARLY. 


Camp  west  of  Catahouchie. 

December,  4,   1813. 

Major-General  Pinckney, 
SIR, 

I  have  the  honor  to  communicate  to  your  excellency, 
an  account  of  an  action  fought  the  29th  ult.  on  the  Tal- 
apoosie  river,  between  part  of  the  force  under  my  com 
mand  and  a  large  body  of  the  Creek  Indians. 

Having  received  information  that  numbers  of  the  hos 
tile  Indians  were  assembled  at  Autossee,  a  town  on  the 
southern  bank  of  the  Talapoosie,  about  eighteen  miles 
from  the  Hickory-ground,  and  twenty  above  the  junc 
tion  of  that  river  with  the  Coosa,  I  proceeded  to  it  with 
950  of  the  Georgia  militia,  accompanied  by  between  8 
and  400  friendly  Indians.  Having  encamped  within 
nine  or  ten  miles  of  the  point  of  destination  the  prece 
ding  evening,  we  resumed  the  march  a  few  minutei  be 
fore  one  on  the  morning  of  the  29th,  and  aj;  half  past  six 
were  formed  for  action  in  front  of  the  town. 


THE  AMERICAN  NAVY.  323 

Booth's  battalion  composed  the  right  column,  and 
marched  from  its  centre.  Watson's  battalion  compos 
ed  the  left,  and  marched  from  its  right ;  Adams'  rifle 
company,  and  Merriwether's  under  Lieutenant  Hendon, 
were  on  the  flanks  ;  Captain  Thomas'  artillery  marched 
in  front  of  the  right  column  in  the  road. 

It  was  my  intention  to  have  completely  surrounded 
the  enemy,  byappuying  the  right  wing  of  my  force  on 
Canlehee  creek,  at  the  mouth  of  which  I  was  informed 
the  town  stood,  and  resting  the  left  on  the  river  bank  be 
low  the  town  ;  but  to  our  surprise,  as  day  dawned,  we 
perceived  a  second  town  about  five  hundred  yards  be 
low  that  which  we  had  first  viewed,  and  were  preparing 
to  attack.  The  plan  was  immediately  changed — three 
companies  of  infantry  on  the  left  were  wheeled  to 
the  left  into  echelon,  and  were  advanced  to  the  low 
town  accompanied  by  Merriwether's  rifle  company,  and 
two  troops  light  dragoons  under  the  commaud  of  Cap 
tains  Irwin  and  Steele. 

The  residue  of  the  force  approached  the  upper  town, 
and  the  battle  soon  became  general.  The  Indians  pre 
sented  themselves  at  every  point, and  fought  with  the  des 
perate  bravery  of  real  fanatics.  The  well  directed  fire, 
however,  of  the  artillery,  added  to  the  charge  of  the  bay 
onet,  soon  forced  them  to  take  refuge  in  the  out  houses, 
thickets,  and  copses,  in  the  rear  of  the  town  ;  many  it  is  be 
lieved,  concealed  themselves  in  caves,  previously  form 
ed  for  the  purpose  of  secure  retreat,  in  the  high  bluff  of 
the  river,  which  was  thickly  covered  with  reed  and 
brushwood.  The  Indians  of  the  friendly  party  who  ac 
companied  us  on  the  expedition,  were  divided  into  four 
companies,  and  placed  under  the  command  of  leaders  of 
their  own  selection.  They  were,  by  engagement  en 
tered  into  the  day  previous,  to  have  crossed  the  river 
above  the  town,  and  been  on  the  opposite  shore  during 
the  action,  for  the  purpose  of  firing  upon  such  of  the  eiv 
my  as  might  attempt  to  escape,  or  keep  in  check  any 
reinforcements  which  might  probably  be  thrown  in 


324  RISE  AND  PROGRESS  OF 

from  the  neighboring  towns  ;  but  owing  to  the  difficulty 
of  the  ford,  and  coldness  of  the  weather,  and  the  late 
ness  of  the  hour,  this  arrangement  failed,  and  their  lead 
ers  were  directed  to  cross  Canleebee  creek,  and  occupy 
that  flank,  to  prevent  escapes  from  the  Tallisee  town. 
Some  time  after  the  action  commenced,  our  red  friends 
thronged,  in  disorder,  in  the  rear  of  our  lines.  The 
Cowetaws,  under  M'Intosh,  and  the  Tookabatchians,  un 
der  Mad  Dog's  Son,  fell  on  our  flanks,  and  fought  with 
an  intrepidity  worthy  of  any  troops. 

At  9  o'clock  the  enemy  was  completely  driven  from 
the  plain,  and  the  houses  of  both  towns  wrapped  in 
flames.  As  we  were  then  60  miles  from  any  depot  of 
provisions,  and  our  five  days  rations  pretty  much  redu 
ced,  in  the  heart  of  the  enemy's  country,  which  in  a 
few  moments  could  have  poured,  from  its  numerous 
towns,  hosts  of  its  fiercest  warriors — as  soon  as  the  dead 
and  wounded  were  disposed  of,  I  ordered  the  place  to  be 
abandoned,  and  the  troops  to  commence  their  march  to 
Chatahouche. 

It  is  difficult  to  determine  the  strength  of  the  enemy  ; 
but,  from  the  information  of  some  of  the  chiefs,  which 
it  is  said  can  be  relied  on,  there  were  assembled  at  Au- 
tosse,  warriors  from  eight  towns,  for  its  defence — it  be 
ing  their  beloved  ground,  on  which  they  proclaimed  no 
white  man  could  approach,  without  inevitable  destruc 
tion.  It  is  difficult  to  give  a  precise  account  of  the  loss 
of  the  enemy  ;  but,  from  the  number  which  were  lying 
scattered  over  the  field,  together  with  those  destroyed 
in  the  towns,  and  the  many  slain  on  the  banks  of  the  rir- 
er,  which  respectable  officers  affirm  they  saw  lying  in 
heaps  at  the  water's  edge,  where  they  had  been  precipi 
tated  by  their  surviving  friends,  their  loss,  in  killed,  in 
dependent  of  their  wounded,  must  have  been  at  least, 
200,  (among  whom  are  the  Autosse  and  Tallissee 
kings,  )  and  from  the  circumstance  of  their  making  no 
efforts  to  molest  our  return, probably  greater.  The  num 
ber  of  buildings  burnt,  some  of  a  superior  order  for  the 


THE  AMERICAN  NAVY. 


, 


dwelling  of  savages,  and  filled  with  valuable  articles,   is 
supposed  to  be  400. 

Adjutant-General  Newman  rendered  important  servi 
ces  during  the  action,  by  his  cool  and  deliberate  cour 
age.  My  aid,  Major  Crawford,  discharged,  with  promp 
titude,  the  duties  of  a  brave  and  meritorious  officer. 
Maj.  Pace,  who  acted  as  field-aid,  also  distinguished  him 
self;  both  these  gentlemen  had  their  horses  shot  under 
them,  and  the  latter  lost  his.  Dr.  Williamson,  hospital 
surgeon,  and  Dr.  Clopton,  were  prompt  and  attentive  in 
discharge  of  their  duty  towards  the  wounded,  during  the 
action. 

Major  Freeman,  at  the  head  of  Irwin's  troop  of  caval 
ry  and  part  of  Steele's,  made  a  furious  and  successful 
charge  upon  a  body  of  Indians,  sabred  several,  and  com 
pletely  defeated  them.  Captain  Thomas  and  his  com 
pany,  Capt  Adams,  and  Lieut.  Hendon's  rifle  compa 
nies  killed  a  great  many  Indians,  and  deserve  particu 
lar  praise.  Captain  Barton's  company  were  in  the  hot 
test  of  the  battle,  and  fought  like  soldiers.  Captain 
Myrick,  Captain  Little,  Captain  King,  Captain  Broad- 
nax,  Captain  Cleveland,  Captain  Joseph  T.  Cunning 
ham,  and  Captain  Lee,  with  their  companies,  distin 
guished  themselves.  Brigade-Major  Sharkleford  was  of 
great  service  in  bringing  the  troops  into  action  ;  and 
Adjutant  Broadnax,  and  Major  Montgomery,  who  acted 
as  Assistant-Adjutant,  showed  great  activity  and  cour 
age.  Major  Booth  used  his  best  endeavors  in  bringing 
his  battalion  to  action,  and  Major  Watson's  battalion 
acted  with  considerable  spirit.  Irwin's,  Patterson's 
and  Steele's  troops  of  cavalry,  whenever  an  opportuni 
ty  presented,  charged  with  success.  Lieutenant  Strong 
had  his  horse  shot,  and  narrowly  escaped  ;  and  Quarter 
master  Tennel  displayed  the  greatest  heroism,  and  mi 
raculously  escaped,  though  badly  wounded,  after  hav 
ing  his  horse  shot  from  under  him.  The  topographical 
engineer  was  vigilant  in  his  endeavors  to  render  ser« 
vice. 

28 


326  RISE  AND  PROGRESS  OF 

The  troops  deserve  the  highest  praise  for  their  forti 
tude,  in  enduring  hunger,  cold,  and  fatigue,  without  a 
murmur,  having  marched  a  hundred  and  twenty  miles, 
ia  seven  days. 

The  friendly  Indians  lost  several,  killed  and  wound 
ed  ;  the  number  not  exactly  known.  Captain  Barton, 
an  active  and  intelligent  officer,  (the  bearer  of  these  des 
patches,)  can,  more  particularly,  explain  to  your  ex 
cellency,  the  conduct,  movements,  and  operations  of  the 
army. 

I  have  the  honor,  &c. 

JOHN  FLOY'D,     B.  Gen. 

In  the  above  actions,  there  were  1 1  killed  and  54 
wounded. — Brig.  Gen.  Floyd  wounded  severely,  and 
Adj.  Gen.  Newman,  slightly. 


PROCEEDINGS  AGANST  THE  CHEEKS. 

Copy  of  a  letter  from  Gen.  Jackson,  of  the  Tennessee  Volunteers,  to 
Gen.  Pinckney,  dated 

H.  Q.  Fort  Strother,  <23th  Jan.   1814. 
SIR, 

I  had  the  honor  of  informing  you,  in  a  letter  of  the 
Slstult.  forwarded  by  Mr.  M'Candless,  (express)  of  an 
excursion  I  contemplated  making,  still  further  in  the 
enemy's  country,  with  the  new  raised  volunteers  from 
Tennessee.  I  had  ordered  those  troops  to  form  a 
junction  with  me,  on  the  10th  instant  ;  but  they  did 
not  arrive  until  the  14th.  Their  number,  including 
officers,  was  about  800 ;  and,  on  the  15th,  I  marched 
them  across  the  river  to  graze  their  horses.  On  the 
next  day  I  followed,  with  the  remainder  of  our  force — 
consisting  of  the  artillery  company,  with  one  6  pound 
er,  one  company  of  infantry,  of  48  men,  two  compan 
ies  of  ipies,  commanded  by  Captains  Gorden  and  Rus- 


THE  AMERICAN  NAVY.  357 

sel,  of  about  30  men  each,  and  a  company  of  volun 
teer  officers,  headed  by  Gen.  Coffee,  who  had  been 
abandoned  by  his  men,  and  who  still  remained  in  the 
field,  awaiting  the  orders  of  the  government — rraking 
my  force,  exclusive  of  Indians,  930. 

The  motives  which  influenced  me  to  penetrate  still 
further  into  the  enemy's  country,  were  many  and  ur 
gent — the  term  of  service,  of  the  new  raised  volunteers, 
was  short ;  and  a  considerable  part  of  it  was  expired — 
they  were  expensive  to  the  government,  and  were  full 
of  ardor  to  meet  the  enemy.  The  ill  effects  of  keep 
ing  soldiers  of  this  description  idle,  and  long  stationary, 
I  had  been  made  to  feel  but  too  sensibly  already.  Oth 
er  causes  concurred  to  make  such  a  movement  not  only 
justifiable,  but  absolutely  necessary.  I  had  received  a 
letter  from  Capt.  M'Alpin,  of  the  5th  inst.  who  com 
manded  at  fort  Armstrong  in  the  absence  of  Col. 
Snodgrass,  informing  me  that  14  or  15  towns  of  the  en 
emy,  situated  on  the  waters  of  the  Tallapoose,  were 
about  uniting  their  forces,  and  attacking  that  place, 
which  had  been  left  in  a  very  feeble  state  of  defence. 
You  had,  in  your  letter  of  the  25th  ult.  informed  me 
that  Gen.  Floyd  was  about  to  make  a  movement  to  the 
Tallapoose,  near  its  junction  with  the  Coosee  ;  and,  in 
the  same  letter,  had  recommended  temporary  excur 
sions  against  such  of  the  enemy's  towns,  or  settlements, 
as  might  be  within  striking  distance,  a&  well  to  prevent 
my  men  from  becoming  discontented,  as  to  harass  the 
enemy — your  ideas  corresponded  exactly  with  my 
own  ;  and  I  was  happy  in  the  opportunity  of  keeping 
my  men  engaged,  distressing  the  enemy,  and,  at  the 
same  time,  making  a  diversion  to  facilitate  the  opera 
tions  of  Gen.  Floyd. 

Determined  by  these  and  other  considerations,  I  took 
up  the  line  of  march,  on  the  17th  inst.  and,  on  the 
night  of  the  1 8th,  encamped  at  the  Talledega  fort, 
where  I  was  joined  by  between  2  and  300  friendly  In 
dians;  65  of  which  were  Cherokees,  the  balance 


328  RISE  AND  PROGRESS  OF 

Creeks.  Here  I  received  your  letter  of  the  9th  inst. 
stating,  that  Gen.  Floyd  was  expected  to  make  a  move 
ment  from  Cowetau,  the  next  day;  and  that,  in  ten 
days  thereafter,  he  would  establish  a  firm  position  at 
Tuckabatchee  ;  and  also  a  letter  from  Col.  Snodgrass, 
who  had  returned  to  fort  Armstrong,  informing  me  that 
an  attack  was  intended  to  be  soon  made  on  that  fort? 
by  900  of  the  enemy  :  if  I  could  have  hesitated  before, 
I  could  now  hesitate  no  longer — I  resolved  to  lose  no 
time  in  meeting  this  force,  which  was  understood  to 
have  been  collected  from  New  Yorcau,  Oakfuskie,  and 
Ufauley  towns  and  were  concentrated  in.  a  bend  of  the 
Tallapoose,  near  the  mouth  of  a  creek,  called  Emuck- 
fau,  and  on  an  island  below  New  Yorcau. 

On  the  morning  of  the  20th,  your  letter  of  the  10th 
instant,  forwarded  by  M'Candless,  reached  me,  at  the 
Hillabee  creek  ;  and  that  night  I  encamped  at  Enoto- 
chapco,  a  small  Hillabee  village,  about  12  miles  from 
Emuckfau.  Here  I  began  to  perceive,  very  plainly, 
how  little  knowledge  my  spies  had  of  the  country,  of 
the  situation  of  the  enemy,  or  of  the  distance  I  was 
from  them.  The  insubordination  of  the  new  troops, 
and  the  want  of  skill  in  most  of  their  officers,  also  be 
came  more  and  more  apparent ;  but  their  ardor  to 
meet  the  enemy  was  not  diminished — and  I  had  a  sure 
reliance  upon  the  guards,  and  the  company  of  old  vol 
unteer  officers,  said  upon  the  spies— in  all  125.  My 
wishes  and  my  duty  remained  united  ;  and  I  was  de 
termined  to  effect,  if  possible,  the  objects  for  which  the 
excursion  had  been  undertaken. — On  the  morning  of 
the  21st  I  marched  from  Enotachopco,  as  direct  as  I 
could  for  the  bend  of  the  Tallapoose  ;  and  about  2 
o'clock,  P.  M.  my  spies  having  discovered  two  of  the 
enemy,  pursued,  but  could  not  overtake  them.  In  the 
evening  I  fell  in  with  a  large  trail,  which  led  to  a  new 
road,  much  beaten,  and  lately  travelled.  Knowing  that 
1  must  have  arrived  within  the  neighborhood  of  a 
Strong  force,  and  it  being  late  in  the  day,  I  determined 


THE  AMERICAN  NAVY.  329 

ta  encamp,  and  reconnoitre  the  country  in  the  night  '•  I 
chose  the  best  scite  the  country  would  admit,   encamp 
ed  in  a  hollow  square,  sent  out  my  spies    and  pickets, 
doubled  my  centinels,  and  made  the  necessary  arrange 
ments  for  a  night  attack.     About  10  o'clock,  at  night, 
one  of  the  pickets  fired  at  three  of  the  enemy,  and  kill 
ed  one — at  1 1   o'clock,  the  spies,  whom  I  had  sent  out, 
returned  with  the   information,  that  there  was  a  large 
encampment  of  Indians,  at  the  distance  of  about   three 
miles  ;  who,  from  their  whooping  and  dancing,  seemed 
to  be  apprized  of  our  approach.     One  of  these   spies, 
(an  Indian,)  in  whom  I  had  great  confidence,   assured 
me  that  they  were  carrying  oiF  their  women   and  chil 
dren,  and  that  the  warriors  would  either  make  their  es 
cape,  or  attack  me  before  day.     Being  prepared  at  all 
points,  nothing  remained  to  be  done  but  to  await  their 
approach,  if  they  meditated  an  attack  ;  or  to  be  in  rea 
diness,  if  they  did  not,  to  pursue  and  attack  them  at 
day  light.     While  we  were  in  this  state   of  readiness, 
the  enemy,  about  6  o'clock  in  the  morning,   commen 
ced  a  vigorous  attack  on  my  left  flank,  which  was  vigor 
ously   met  ;  the  action  Continued  to  rage  on  my  left 
flank,  and   on  the  left   of  my   rear,  for  about  half  an 
hour.     The  brave  Gen.  Coffee,   with  Col.  Sittler,  the 
Adj.  General,  and  Col.  Carroll,  the  Inspector  General, 
the  moment  the  firing  commenced,  mounted  their  hors 
es  and  repaired  to  the  line,  encouraging  and  animating 
their  men  to  the  performance  of  their  duty. 

So  soon  as  it  became  light  enough  to  pursue,  the  left 
wing  having  sustained  the  heat  of  the  aetion,  and  being 
somewhat  weakened,  was  reinforced  by  Capt.  Ferrill's 
company  of  Infantry,  and  was  ordered,  and  led  on  to  the 
charge  by  General  Coffee,  who  was  well  supported  by 
Col.  Higgins  and  the  Inspector  General,  and  by  all  the 
officers  and  privates  who  composed  that  line.  The  en 
emy  were  routed  at  every  point ;  and  the  friendly  In 
dians  joining  in  the  pursuit,  they  were  chased  abeuttwo 
miles  with  considerable  slaughter.  The  chase  being 
28* 


330  RISE  AND  PROGRESS  OF 

over,  I  immediately  detached  Gen.  Coffee,   with  400 
men,  and   all  the  Indian  force,  to  burn  their  encamp 
ment  ;  but  it  was  said,  by  some,  to  be  fortified.     I  or 
dered  him,  in  that  event,  not  to  attack  it,  until  the  artil 
lery  could  be   sent  forward  to  reduce  it.     On  viewing 
the  encampment,  and  its  strength,  the   General  thought 
it  most  prudent  to  return  to  my  encampment,  and  guard 
the  artillery  thither  :  the  wisdom  of  this  sjep  was  soon 
discovered  ;    in  half  an  hour  after  his  retifrn  to  camp, 
a  considerable  force  of  the  enemy  made  its  appearance 
on  my  right  flank,  and  commenced  a  brisk  tire  on  a  par 
ty  of  men,  who  had  been  on  picket  guard  the  night  be 
fore,  and  were  then  in  search  of  the  Indians  they  had 
fired  upon,  some  of  whom  they  believed  had  been  killed. 
Gen.  Coffee  immediately  requested  me  to  let  him  take 
200  men,  and  turn  their  left  flank — which  I  accordingly 
ordered  ;  but,  through  some  mistake,  which  I  did  not 
then  observe,  not  more  than  54  followed  him,  among 
whom   were   the  old  volunteer  officers.     With  these, 
however,  he  immediately  commenced  an  attack  on  the 
left  flank  of  the  enemy,  at  which  time  I  ordered  200  of 
the  friendly  Indians  to  fall  in  upon  the  right  flank  of  the 
enemy,   and  co-operate  with  the  General.     This  order 
was  promptly  obeyed  ;  and,  in  the  moment  of  its  execu 
tion,  wThat  1  expected  was  realized.     The  enemy  had 
intended  the  attack  on  the  right  as  a  feint;  and,  expect 
ing  to  direct  all  my  attention  thither,  meant  to  attack 
me  again,  and  with  their  main  force,  on  my  left  flank, 
which  they  hoped  to  find  weakened  and  in  disorder — 
they  were  disappointed.     I  had  ordered  the  left  flank 
to  remain  firm  in  its  place  ;  and,  the  moment  the  alarm 
gun  was  heard  in  that  quarter,  I  repaired  thither,  and 
ordered  Capt.  Ferrill,  part  of  my  reserve,  to  support  it. 
The  whole  line  met  the  enemy  with  astonishing  intrepi 
dity  ;  and,  having  given  a  few  fires,  they  forthwith  charg 
ed  with  great  vigor  ;  the  effect  was  immediate  and  in 
evitable — the  enemy  fled  with  precipitation,  and  were 
pursued  to  a  considerable  distance  by  the  left  flank,  and 


THE  AMERICAN  NAVY,  33] 

the  friendly  Indians,   with  a  galling  and  destructive  fire. 
Col.  Carrol,  who   ordered  the  charge,   led  on  the  pur 
suit  ;  and   Col.  Higgins,  and  his  regiment,  again  distin 
guished  themselves.     In  the  meantime,  Geri.  Coffee  was 
contending  with  a  superior  force  of  the  enemy  ;  the  In 
dians,  who  I  had  ordered  to  his  support,  and  who  had  set 
out  for  this  purpose,  hearing  the  firing  on  the  left,  had 
returned  to  that  quarter  ;  and,    when  the  enemy  were 
routed  there,  entered  into  the  chase.     That  being  now 
over,  I  forthwith  ordered  Jim  Fife,  who  was  one  of  the 
principal  commanders  of  the  friendly  Creeks,  with  one 
hundred  of  his  warriors,  to  execute  my  first  order.     So 
soon  as  he  reached  Gen.  Coffee,    the  charge,  was  made, 
and  the  enemy  routed  ;  they  were  pursued  about  three 
miles,  and  45  of  them  slain,  who  were  found.     General 
Coffee  was  wounded  in  the  body,  and  his  aid-de-camp, 
A.  Donaldson,  killed,  together  with  three  others.     Ha 
ving  brought  in   and  buried  the  dead,   and  dressed  the 
wounded,  I  ordered  my  camp  to  be  fortified,  to  be  the 
better  prepared  to  repel  any  attack  which  might  be 
made  in  the  ni^ht,  determining  to  commence  a  return 
march,  to  fort  Strother,  the  next  day  ;  many  causes  con 
curred  to  make  this  measure  necessary,  as  I  had  not  set 
out  prepared,  or  with  a  view  to  make  a  permanent  es 
tablishment.     I  considered  it  worse  than  useless  to  ad 
vance,   and  destroy  an  empty  encampment.     I  had,  in 
deed,  hoped  to  have  met  the  enemy  there  ;  but,  having 
met  and  beaten  them  a  little  sooner,  1  did  not  think  it 
necessary  or  prudent  to  proceed  any  further — not  ne 
cessary,  because  I  had  accomplished  all  I  expected  to 
effect,  by  marching  to  their  encampment — and  because, 
if  it  was  proper  to  contend  with,  and  weaken  their  for 
ces  still  farther,  this  object  would  be  more  certainly  at 
tained  by  commencing  a  return,  which,  having  to  them 
the  appearance  of  a  retreat,  w6uld  inspirit  them  to  pur 
sue  me.     Not  prudent — because  of  the  number  of  my 
wounded  ;  of  the  reinforcements,  from  below,  which 
the  enemy  might  be  expected  to  receive  ;  of  the  starr- 


332  RISE  AND  PROGRESS  OF 

ing  condition  of  my  horses,  they  having  neither  had  cane 
nor  corn  for  two  days  and  nights  ;  of  the  scarcity  of 
supplies  for  my  men,  the  Indians  who  joined  me  at  Tal- 
ledega  having  drawn  none,  and  being  wholly  destitute  ; 
and  because,  if  the  enemy  pursued  me,  as  it  was  likely 
they  would,  the  diversion  in  favor  of  Gen.  Floyd  would 
be  the  more  complete  and  effectual — influenced  by  these 
considerations,  I  commenced  my  return  march  at  half 
after  10,  on  the  23d  inst.  and  was  fortunate  enough 
to  reach  Enotachopco  before  night,  having  passed,  with 
out  interruption,  a  dangerous  defile,  occasioned  by  a 
hurricane.  I  again  fortified  my  camp  ;  and,  having 
another  defile  to  pass  in  the  morning,  across  a  deep 
creek,  and  between  two  hills,  which  I  had  viewed  wilh 
attention  as  I  passed  on,  and  where  I  expected  I  might 
be  attacked,  I  determined  to  pass  it  at  another  point, 
and  gave  directions  to  my  guide  and  fatigue-men  accord 
ingly.  My  expectation  of  an  attack  in  the  morning  was 
increased  by  the  signs  of  the  night,  and  with  it  my  cau 
tion.  Before  I  moved  the  wounded  from  the  interior  of 
my  carnp,  I  had  my  front  and  rear  guards  formed,  as 
well  as  my  right  and  left  columns  and  moved  off  my 
centre  in  regular  order,  leading  down  a  handsome  ridge 
to  Enotachopco  creek,  at  a  point  where  it  was  clear  of 
reed,  except  immediately  on  its  margin.  I  had  previ 
ously  issued  a  general  order,  pointing  out  the  manner  in 
which  the  men  were  to  be  foraied,  in  the  event  of  an 
attack  on  the  front  or  rear,  or  oa  the  flanks  ;  and  had 
particularly  cautioned  the  officers  to  halt,  and  form  ac 
cordingly,  the  instant  the  word  should  be  given. 

The  front  guard  had  crossed,  with  part  of  the  flank 
columns  ;  the  wounded  were  over,  and  the  artillery  in 
the  act  of  catering  the  creek,  when  an  alarm  gun  was 
heard  in  the  rear ;  I  heard  it  without  surprize — and  even 
with  pleasure,  calculating  with  the  utmost  confidence  on 
the  firmness  of  my  troops,  from  the  manner  in  which  I 
had  seen  them  act  on  the  22d.  I  had  placed  Col.  Car 
rol  at  the  head  of  the  centre  column  of  the  rear  guard  ; 
was  commanded  by  Col.  Perk?r>«  »-J 


THE  AMERICAN  NAVY.  333 

its  left  by  Col.  Stump.  Having  chosen  the  ground,  I 
expected  there  to  have  entirely  cut  off  the  enemy,  by 
wheeling  the  right  and  left  columns  on  their  pivot,  re- 
crossing  the  creek  above  and  below,  and  falling  in  upon 
their  flanks  and  rear.  But,  to  my  astonishment  and 
mortification,  when  the  word  was  given  by  Col.  Carrol, 
to  halt,  and  form,  and  a  few  guns  had  been  fired,  1  be 
held  the  right  and  left  columns  of  the  rear  guard  preci 
pitately  give  way  ;  this  shameful  retreat  was  disastrous 
in  the  extreme  ;  it  drew  along  with  it  the  greater  part 
of  the  centre  column,  leaving  not  more  than  25  men, 
who,  being  formed  by  Col.  Carrol,  maintained  their 
ground  as  long  as  it  was  possible  to  maintain  it  ;  and  it 
brought  consternation  and  confusion  into  the  army — a 
consternation  not  easily  removed  ;  and  a  confusion 
which  could  not  easily  be  restored  to  order.  There 
was  then  left,  to  repulse  the  enemy,  the  few  who  re 
mained  of  the  rear  guard,  the  artillery  company,  and 
Captain  Russell's  company  of  spies  ;— they,  however, 
realized,  and  exceeded  my  highest  expectations.  Lieut. 
Armstrong,  who  commanded  the  artillery  company,  in 
the  absence  of  Capt.  Deadrick,  (confined  by  sickness,) 
ordered  them  to  form,  and  advance  to  the  top  of  the 
hill,  whilst  he  and  a  few  others  dragged  up  the  six 
pounder  ;  never  was  more  bravery  displayed  than  on 
this  occasion  :  amidst  the  most,  galling  fire  from  the  en 
emy,  more  than  ten  times  their  number,  they  ascended 
the  hill,  and  maintained  their  position  until  their  piece 
was  hauled  up,  when  having  levelled  it,  they  poured 
upon  the  enemy  a  fire  of  grape,  re-loaded  and  fired 
again — charged,  and  repulsed  them. 

The  most  deliberate  bravery  was  displayed  by  Con- 
stantine  Perkins  and  Craven  Jackson,  of  the  artillery, 
acting  as  gunners  :— in  the  hurry  of  the  moment,  in  se 
parating  the  gun  from  the  limbers,  the  rammer  and  pick 
er  of  the  cannon  were  left  tied  to  the  limber ;  no  sooner 
was  this  discovered,  than  Jackson,  amidst  the  galling 
fire  of  the  enemy,  pulled  out  the  ramrod  of  his 


334  RISE  AND  PROGRESS  OF 

and  used  it  as  a  picker,  primed  with  a  cartridge,  and 
fired  the  cannon.  Perkins,  having  pulled  off  his  bayon 
et,  used  his  rnusquet  as  a  rammer,  drove  down  the  cart 
ridge  ;  and  Jackson,  using  his  former  plan,  again  dis 
charged  her.  The  brave  Lieut.  Armstrong,  just  after 
the  first  fire  of  the  cannon,  with  Captain  Hamilton,  of 
E.  Tennessee,  Bradford  and  M'Gavock,  all  fell  ;  the 
Lie  itenant  exclaiming,  as  he  lay,  "my  brave  fellows, 
some  of  you  may  fall — but  save  the  cannon.'1  About 
this  time,  a  number  crossed  the  creek  and  entered  into 
the  chase.  The  brave  Captain  Gordon,  of  the  spies, 
who  had  rushed  from  the  front  endeavored  to  turn  the 
left  flank  of  the  enemy,  in  which  he  partially  succeed 
ed ;  and  Col.  Carrol,  Col.  Higgins,  and  Captains  Elliot 
and  Pipkins,  pursued  the  enemy  for  more  than  two 
miles,  who  fled  in  consternation,  throwing  away  their 
packs,  and  leaving  26  of  their  warriors  dead  on  the  field. 
I  should  do  injustice  to  my  feelings,  if  I  omitted  to  men 
tion  that  the  venerable  judge  Cocke,  at  the  age  of  65, 
entered  into  the*  engagement,  continued  the  pursuit  of 
the  euemy  with  youthful  ardor,  and  saved  the  life  of  a 
fellow-soldier,  by  killing  his  savage  antagonist. 

In  these  several  engagements,  our  loss  was  20  killed, 
and  75  wounded — 4  of  whom  have  since  died.  The 
loss  of  the  enemy  cannot  be  accurately  ascertained — 1 89 
of  their  warriors  were  found  dead  ;  but  this  must  fall 
considerably  short  of  the  real  number  killed — their 
wounded  can  only  be  guessed  at. 

I  have  the  honor,  £c. 

ANDW.  JACKSON,  Maj.  Gen. 


THE  AMERICAN   NAVY.  535 

EXPEDITION  TO  THE  TALLAPOOSEE. 

Copy  of  a  letter  from  Maj.  (Jen.  Jackson,  to  Maj.  Gen  Pinckney. 

On  the  Battle  Ground,  in  the  Bend  of  the  Tallapoosec, 

March,  28fA,  1814. 
SIR, 

I  feel  peculiarly  happy  in  being  able  to  communi 
cate  to  you  the  fortunate  eventuation  of  my  expedi 
tion  to  the  Tallapoosee.  I  reached  the  bend,  near  Em- 
ucfau,  (called,  by  the  whites,  the  Horse-shoe,)  about  ten 
o'clock  in  the  forenoon  of  yesterday,  where  I  found  the 
strength  of  the  neighboring  towns  collected  ;  expecting 
our  approach,  they  had  gathered  in  from  Oakfuskee, 
Oakchaga,  New  Yauca,  Hillibees,  the  Fish-pond,  and 
Eufaulee  towns,  to  the  number,  it  is  said,  of  1000.  It  is 
difficult  to  conceive  a  situation  more  eligible  for  defence, 
than  they  had  chosen  ;  or  one  rendered  more  secure, 
by  the  skill  with  which  they  had  erected  their  breast 
work  ;  it  was  from  5  to  8  feet  high,  and  extended  across 
the  point  in  such  a  direction  as  that  a  force,  approaching 
it,  would  be  exposed  to  a  double  fire,  while  they  lay  in 
perfect  security  behind  ;  a  cannon,  planted  at  one  ex 
tremity,  could  have  raked  it  to  no  advantage. 

Determining  to  exterminate  them,  I  detached  Gene 
ral  Coffee,  with  the  mounted  men,  and  nearly  the  whole 
of  the  Indian  force,  early  on  the  morning  of  jes- 
terday,  to  cross  the  river,  about  two  miles  below  the  en 
campment,  and  to  surround  the  bend  in  such  a  man- 
Ber,  as  that  none  of  them  should  escape,  by  attempting 
to  cross  the  river.  With  the  infantry  1  proceeded  slow 
ly,  and  in  order,  along  the  point  of  land  which  led  to  the 
front  of  their  breast-work  ;  having  planted  my  cannon 
(one  6  and  one  3  pounder,  on  an  eminence,  at  the  dis 
tance  of  150  to  200  yards  from  it,  I  opened  a  very  brisk 
fire,  playing  upon  the  enemy  with  the  musquets  and  ri 
fles,  whenever  they  showed  themselves  beyond  it ;  this 


326  RISE  AND  PROGRESS  OF 

was  kept  up,  with  short  interruptions,  for  .about  two 
hours,  when  a  part  of  the  Indian  force,  and  Captain 
Russell's  and  Lieut.  Bean's  companies  of  spies,  who 
had  accompanied  General  Coffee,  crossed  over  in  ca 
noes,  to  the  extremity  of  the  bend,  and  set  fire  to  a  few 
of  the  buildings  which  were  there  situated  ;  they  ad 
vanced,  with  great  gallantry,  towards  the  breast-work, 
and  commenced  a  spirited  fire  upon  the  enemy  behind 
it.  Finding  that  this  force,  notwithstanding  the  bravery 
they  displayed,  was  wholly  insufficient  to  dislodge  them, 
and  that  Gen.  Coffee  had  entirely  secured  the  opposite 
bank  of  the  river,  I  now  determined  to  take  their  works 
by  storm.  The  men.  by  whom  this  was  to  be  effected, 
had  been  waiting  with  impatience  to  receive  their  order, 
and  hailed  it  with  acclamation. 

The  spirit  which  animated  them  was  a  sure  augury  of 
the  success  which  was  to  follow  ;  the  history  of  warfare,  I 
think,  furnishes  few  instances  of  a  more  brilliant  attack  ; 
the  regulars,  led  on  by  their  intrepid  and  skilful  com 
mander,  Col.  Williams,  and  by  the  gallant  Maj.  Mont 
gomery,  soon  gained  possession  of  the  works,  in  the  midst 
of  a  most  tremendous  fire  from  behind  them  ;  and  the 
militia,  of  the  venerable  Gen.  Doherty's  brigade,  ac 
companied  them  in  the  charge,  with  a  vivacity  and 
firmness  which  would  have  done  honor  to  regulars. 
The  enemy  were  completely  routed — 557  were  left 
dead  on  the  peninsula ;  and  a  great  number  of  them 
were  killed  by  the  horsemen,  in  attempting  to  cross 
the  river  ;  it  is  believed  that  no  more  than  10  had  esca 
ped. 

The  fighting  continued,  with  some  severity,  about 
five  hours  ;  but  we  continued  to  destroy  many  of  them, 
who  had  concealed  themselves  under  the  banks 
of  the  river,  until  we  were  prevented  by  the  night. 
This  morning  we  killed  16  which  had  been  concealed. 
\Ve  took  250  prisoners,  all  women  and  children  except 
2  or  3  ;  our  loss  is  106  wounded  and  26  killed.  Maj. 
M'Intosh,  (the  Cowetau,)  who  joined  my  army  with  a 


THE  AMERICAN  NAVT.  337 

part  of  his  tribe,  greatly  distinguished  himself.  When  I 
get  an  hour's  leisure  I  will  send  you  a  more  detailed  ac 
count.  The  power  of  Creeks  is,  I  think,  forever  bro 
ken.  I  send  you  a  hasty  sketch,  taken  by  the  eye,  of 
the  situation  on  which  the  enemy  were  encamped,  and 
of  the  manner  in  which  I  approached  them. 
I  have  the  honor  to  be,  &c. 

ANDREW  JACKSON,  Mai.  Gen. 
Maj.  Gen.  THOMAS  PINCKNEY,   U.  S.  Army. 


CHAPTER  XXXI. 

General  Operations  Continued. 

On  the  3d  of  July,  General  Brown  commenced  ope 
rations  by  crossing  over  and  surprising  fort  Erie,  which 
Tell  an  easy  conquest,  and  the  next  day  he  advanced  to 
the  plains  ofChippewa,  where  he  engaged  the  enemy  and 
gained  a  signal  victory.  The  victory  gave  great  eclat 
to  the  American  arms,  and  diffused  a  general  joy 
throughout  the  nation. 

The   Americans  lost  60  killed  and  248  wounded. — 
The  British  lost  133  killed  and  320  wounded. 
29 


338  RISE  AND  PROGRESS  OF 


FURTHER  OF   THE  BATTLE  OF  CHIPPEWA. 

Copy  of  a  letter  from   Major-General   Brown,   to  the  Secretary    of 
War,  dated 

Head-Quarters,  Chippewa  Plains, 

July  7,   1814. 
DEAR  SIR, 

On  the  second  inst.  I  issued  my  orders  for  crossing 
the  Niagara  river,  and  made  the  arrangements,  deemed 
necessary,  for  securing  the  garrison  of  fort  Erie.  On 
the  3d,  that  post  surrendered,  at  5,  P.  M.  Our  loss  in 
this  affair,  was  four  wounded — I  have  enclosed  a  re 
turn  of  the  prisoners,  of  the  ordnance,  and  ordnance 
stores,  captured. 

To  secure  my  rear,  I  have  placed  a  garrison  in  this 
fort  and  requested  Capt.  Kennedy,  to  station  his  vessels 
near  the  post. 

On  the  morning  of  the  4th,  Brig.  Gen.  Scott,  with 
his  brigade,  and  a  corps  of  artillery,  was  ordered  to  ad 
vance  towards  Chippewa,  and  be  governed  by  circum 
stances — taking  care  to  secure  a  good  military  position 
for  the  night.  After  some  skirmishing  with  the  enemy, 
he  selected  this  plain,  with  the  eye  of  a  soldier — his 
right  resting  on  the  river,  and  a  ravine  being  in  front. 
At  11,  at  night,  I  joined  him  withjthe  reserve,  under  Gen. 
Ripley,  our  ield,  and  battering  train,  and  corps  of  artil 
lery  under  Maj.  Hindman.  Gen.  Porter  arrived,  next 
morning,  with  a  part  of  the  N.  Y.  and  Pennsylvania 
volunteers,  and  some  of  the  warriors  of  the  Six  Na 
tions. 

Early  in  the  morning  of  the  5th,  the  enemy  commen 
ced  a  petty  war  upon  our  pickets,  and,  as  he  was  indul 
ged,  his  presumption  increased  ; — by  noon,  he  showed 
himself  on  the  left  of  our  exterior  line,  and  attacked  one 
of  our  pickets,  as  it  was  returning  to  camp.  Capt. 
Treat,  who  commanded  it,  retired,  disgracefully,  leaving 


THE  AMERICAN  NAVY.  339 

a  wounded  man  on  the  ground.  Capt.  Biddle,  of  the 
artillery,  who  was  near  the  scene,  impelled  by  feelings, 
highly  honorable  to  him,  as  a  soldier  and  officer, 
promptly  assumed  the  command  of  this  picket — led  it 
back  to  the  wounded  man,  and  brought  him  off  the 
field.  I  ordered  Capt.  Treat,  on  the  spot,  to  retire 
from  the  army  ;  and,  as  I  am  anxious  that  no  officer 
shall  remain  under  my  command,  who  can  be  suspec 
ted  of  cowardice,  I  advise  that  Capt.  Treat,  and  Lieut. 

,  who  was  also  with  the  picket,  be   struck  from 

the  rolls  of  the  army. 

At  4  o'clock,  P.  M.  agreeably  to  a  plan  I  had  given 
Gen.  Porter,  he  advanced  from  the  rear  of  our  camp, 
with  the  volunteers  and  Indians,  (taking  the  woods,  in 
order  to  keep  out  of  view  of  the  enemy,)  with  a  hope 
of  bringing  his  pickets,  and  scouting  parties,  between  hi* 
(Ports's)  line  of  march,  and  our  camp.  As  Porter  mo 
ved,  I  ordered  the  parties,  advanced  in  front  of  our 
camp,  to  fall  back,  gradually,  under  the  enemy's  fire, 
in  order  to  draw,  him,  if  possible,  up  to  our  line.  About 
half  past  4,  the  advance  of  Gen.  Porter's  command,  met 
the  light  parties  of  the  enemy  in  the  woods,  upon  our 
extreme  leTt — the  enemy  were  driven  ;  and  Porter  ad 
vancing  near  to  Chippewa,  met  their  whole  column  in 
order  of  battle.  From  the  cloud  of  dust  rising,  and  the 
heavy  firing,  I  was  led  to  conclude  that  the  whole  force 
of  the  enemy  was  in  march,  and  prepared  for  action.  I 
immediately  ordered  Gen.  Scott  to  advance,  with  his  bri 
gade,  and  Token's  artillery,  and  met  them  upon  the 
plain,  in  front  o£our  camp.  The  General  did  not  ex 
pect  to  be  gratified  so  soon,  with  a  field  engagement  -, 
he  advanced,  in  the  most  prompt  and  officer-like  style, 
and,  in  a  few  minutes,  was  in  close  action,  upon  the 
plain  with  a  superior  force  of  British  regular  troops. 
By  this  time,  Gen.  Porter's  command  had  given  way, 
and  fled  in  every  direction,  notwithstanding  his  personal 
gallantry,  and  great  exertions  to  stay  their  flight.  The 
retreat  of  the  volunteers  and  Indians,  caused  the  left 


340  RISE  AND  PROGRESS  OF 

flank  of  Gen.  Scott's  brigade  to  be  grea<ly  exposed, 
Capt.  Harris,  with  his  dragoons,  was  directed  to  stop 
the  fugitives,  behind  the  ravine,  fronting  our  camp  ;  and 
I  sent  Col.  Gardner  to  order  Gen.  Ripley,  to  advance 
with  the  21st  regiment,  which  formed  a  part  of  the  re 
serve — pass  to  the  left  of  our  campr  skirt  the  woods,  so 
as  to  keep  out  of  view,  and  fall  upon  the  rear  of  the  en 
emy's  right  flank  ;  this  order  was  promptly  obeyed  ;  and 
the  greatest  exertions  were  made  by  the  21st  regiment, 
to  gain  their  position,  and  close  with  the  enemy — but 
in  vain  ;  for  such  was  the  zeal  and  gallantry  of  the  line, 
commanded  by  Gen.  Scott,  that  its  advance  upon  the 
enemy  was  not  to  be  checked.  Major  Jessup,  com 
manding  the  left  flank  battalion,  finding  himself  pressed 
in  front,  and  in  flank,  and  his  men  falling  fast  around 
him,  ordered  his  battalion  to  "  support  arms,  and  ad 
vance.''  The  order  was  promptly  obeyed,  amidst  the 
most  deadly  and  destructive  fire  ;  he  gained  a  more  se 
cure  position,  and  returned  upon  the  enemy  so  galling  a 
discharge,  as  caused  them  to  retire.  By  this  time,  their 
whole  line  was  falling  back,  and  our  gallant  soldiers 
pressing  upon  them,  as  fast  as  possible.  As  spon  as  the 
enemy  had  gained  the  sloping  ground,  descending  to 
wards  Chippevva,  and  distant  a  quarter  of  a  mile,  he 
broke,  and  ran  to  gain  his  works  ;  in  this  effort,  he  was 
too  successful ;  and  the  guns,  from  his  batteries,  opening 
immediately  upon  our  line,  checked  in  some  degree, 
the  pursuit.  At  this  moment,  I  resolved  to  bring  up  all 
my  ordnance,  and  force  the  place  by  atflirect  attack, 
and  gave  the  order  accordingly.  Major^Wood,  of  the 
corps  of  engineers,  and  my  aid,  Capt.  Austin,  rode  to 
the  bank  of  the  creek,  towards  the  right  of  their  line  of 
works,  and  examined  them.  I  was  induced,  by  the  late 
ness  of  their  report,  the  lateness  of  the  hour,  and  the  ad 
vice  of  Gen.  Scott,  and  Major  Wood,  to  order  the  for 
ces  to  retire  to  camp. 

My  most  difficult  duty  remains  to  be   performed — 1 
am  depressed  with  the  fear  of  not  being  able  to  do  jus- 


THE  AMERICAN  NAVY.  34] 

ticeto  my  companions  in  arms ;  and  apprehensive  that 
some,  who  had  an  opportunity  of  distinguishing  them 
selves,  and  promptly  embraced  it,  will  escape  my  no 
tice. 

Brig.  Gen.  Scott  is  entitled  to  the  highest  praises  our 
country  can  bestow  ;  to  him, more  than  any  man,  am  I 
indebted  for  the  victory  of  the  5th  of  July-his  brigade  has 
covered  itself  with  glory.  Every  officer  and  every  man 
of  the  9th,  22d,  1  1th,  and  25th  regiments,  did  hii  duty, 
with  a  zeal  and  energy  worthy  of  the  American  charac 
ter.  When  every  officer  stands  so  pre-eminently  high 
in  the  path  of  duty  and  honor,  it  is  impossible  to  discri 
minate  ;  but  1  cannot  deprive  myself  of  the  pleasure  of 
saying,  that  Major  Leavenworth  commanded  the  9th, 
and  2  .'d  ;  M;ijor  Jessup  the  25th,  and  Major  M'Neil  the 
1 1th.  Col.  Campbell  was  wounded  early  in  the  action, 
gallantly  leading  on  his  regiment. 

The  family  of  General  Scott  were  conspicuous  in  the 
field  ;  Lieut.  Smith,  of  the  6th  infantry,  Major  of  Bri 
gade,  and  Lieutenants  Worth  and  Watts,  his  aids. 

From  General  Ripley,  and  his  Brigade,  I  received  ev 
ery  assistance  that  1  gave  them  an  opportunity  of  ren 
dering.  I  did  not  order  any  part  of  the  reserve  into  ac 
tion,  until  Gen.  Porter's  command  had  given  way  ;  and 
then  Gen.  Scott's  movements  were  so  rapid,  and  deci 
sive,  that  Gen.  Ripley  could  not  get  up  in  time,  with 
the  21st,  to  the  position  as  directed.  The  corps  of  ar 
tillery,  under  Major  Hindman,  were  not  generally  in  ac 
tion  ;  this  was  not  their  fault.  Capt.  Towson's  com 
pany  was  the  only  one  that  had  a  full  opportunity  of 
distinguishing  itself  ;  and  it  is  believed  that  no  compa 
ny  ever  embraced  an  opportunity  with  more  zeal,  or 
more  success. 

A  detachment  from  the  2d  brigade,  under  the  com 
mand  of  Lieut.  McDonald,  penetrated  the  woods,  with 
the  Indians  and  volunteers,  and  for  their  support  ;  the 
conduct  of  M'Donald,  and  his  command,  reflects  highs 
honor  upon  the  brigade  to  which  they  belong;. 


2  RISE  AND  PROGRESS  OF 

The  conduct  of  Gen.  Porter  has  been  conspicuously 
gallant  ;  every  assistance,  in  his  power  to  afford,  with 
the  description  of  force  under  his  command,  has  been 
rendered  ;  we  could  not  expect  him  to  contend  with 
the  British  column  of  regulars,  which  appeared  upon 
the  plains  of  Chippewa — it  was  no  cause  of  surprise  to 
me,  to  see  his  command  retire  before  this  column. 

Justice  forbids  that  I  should  omit  to  name  my  own 
family,  they  yield  to  none,  in  honorable  zeal,  intelli 
gence,  and  attention  to  duty — Col.  Gardner,  Major 
Jones,  and  my  aids,  Captains  Austin  and  Spencer  have 
been  as  active,  and  as  much  devoted  to  the  cause,  as 
any  officers  of  the  army;  their  conduct  merits  my 
warmest  acknowledgements — of  Gardner  and  Jones,  I 
shall  have  occasion  again  to  speak  to  you.  Major 
Camp,  deputy  Quarter-master  General,  deserves  my 
particular  notice,  and  approbation  :  by  his  great  exer 
tions  I  was  enabled  to  find  the  means  of  crossing. 
Capt.  Daliba,  of  the  ordnance  department,  has  render 
ed  every  service  in  his  power. 

The  enclosed  return  will  show  you  our  loss,  and  fur 
nish  you  with  the  names  of  the  dead  and  wounded  offi 
cers — these  gallant  men  must   not  be   forgotten  ;   our 
country  will  remember  them,  and  do  them  justice. 
Respectfully,  £c. 

JACOB  BROWN. 

Hon.  Sec.  War. 

In  the  above  action,  the  enemy  had  208  killed,  and 
95  wounded — 15  prisoners — Total,  303. 

Those  reported  under  the  head  of  wounded  and  pris 
oners  were  so  severely  injured,  that  it  would  have  been 
impracticable  for  them  to  have  escaped.  The  enemy 
had  the  same  facilities  of  carrying  their  weunded  from 
tbe  field,  at  the  commencement  of  the  action,  as  our 
selves  ;  and  there  can  be  no  doubt,  from  the  informa- 


THE  AMERICAN  NAVY.  343 

tionthat  I  have  received  from  unquestionable  sources, 
that  that  they  carried  from  the  fieJd  as  many  of  their 
wounded  as  is  reported  above  in  the  total. 

AZ.  ORNE,  Asst.  Ins.  Gen. 

Our  loss  was  60  killed — 1 1 5  S.  1 34  B.  wounded — 19 
prisoners — Total  328. 

The  British  official  account  of  the  above  action,  statea 
their  total  loss  at  514. 


FURTHER  PROCEEDINGS. 

Copy  of  a  letter  from    Maj.  Gen.  Brown,  to  the  Secretary  of  War, 
dated 

H.  Q.  <3ueensfoaw,.7u/y22d,1814. 
DEAR  SIR, 

On  the  29th,  the  army  moved,  and  encamped  in  the 
rear  of  fort  George.  Gen.  Scott,  with  the  van,  had 
some  skirmishing,  before  the  main  body  came  up  ;  but, 
as  the  enemy  kept  close  to  their  works,  nothing  import 
ant  occurred.  No  force  was  left  in  our  rear — the 
heights  were  abandoned  to  the  enemy,  and  we  did 
hope  that  the  movement  would  have  induced  him  to  re- 
occupy  them,  or  close  in  nearer  to  us,  so  as  to  bring  on 
an  engagement  out  of  his  works  ;  in  this  we  were  disap 
pointed. — The  army  returned  to-day,  and  found  a  body 
©f  militia  and  a  few  regulars,  in  and  about  the  heights  ; 
Gen.  Porter  pursued  them  with  his  command,  and  a 
few  regulars,  and  was  so  fortunate  as  to  come  up  with 
and  capture  seven  officers  and  ten  privates — they  will 
be  sent  to  Greenbush. 

Reipectfully,  &cf 

JACOB  BROWN. 


344  RISE  AND  PROGRESS  OF 


FURTHER  PROCEEDINGS. 

Copy  of  a  letter  from  Major  General  Brown,  to  the  Secretary  of  War, 
dated 

H.  Q.  Chippewa,  July  25,1814. 
DEAR  SIR, 

On  the  23d  inst.  I  received  a  letter  by  express,  from 
General  Gaines,  advising  me,  that,  on  the  20th,  the 
heavy  guns  that  I  had  ordered  from  the  Harbor,  to  en 
able  me  to  operate  against  forts  George  and  Niagara, 
were  blockaded  in  that  port,  together  with  the  rifle  re 
giment  that  I  had  ordered  up  with  them.  I  had  order 
ed  these  guns,  and  troops,  in  boats,  provided  the  Com 
modore  should  not  deem  it  proper  or  prudent  to  convey 
them  in  his  fleet,  not  doubting  but  that  he  would  have 
been  upon  the  lake  for  their  protection,  and  that  the 
enemy  would  have  been  driven  into  port,  or  captured. 
As  Gen.  Gaines  informed  me  that  the  Commodore  was 
confined  to  his  bed  with  a  fever,  and  as  he  did  not 
know  when  the  fleet  would  sail,  or  when  the  guns  and 
forces  which  1  had  been  expecting,  would  even  leave 
Sackett's  Harbor,  I  have  thought  it  proper  to  change 
my  position,  with  a  view  to  other  objects.  You  know- 
how  greatly  I  am  disappointed,  and  therefore  I  will  not 
dwell  upon  that  painful  subject ;  and  you  can  best  per 
ceive  how  much  has  been  lost  by  the  delay — and  the 
command  of  lake  Ontario  being  with  the  enemy — 
reliances  being  placed  upon  a  different  state  of  things. 
The  Indians  all  left  me  some  time  since  ;  it  is  said  that 
they  will  return;  but  this,  you  will  perceive,  depends 
upon  circumstances.  The  reinforcements  ordered  on, 
from  the  west,  have  not  arrived. 

Yours,  respectfully,  and  truly, 

JACOB  BROWN. 

Hon.  Stc^  of  War. 


THE   AMERICAN  NAVY.  34$ 

CHAPTER  XXXII. 

/ 

General  Operations  Continued. 

BATTLE  OF  BRIDGEWATER. 

General  Brown  returned  to  Queenstown,  and  frorw 
thence  to  the  plains  of  Chippewa,  to  await  the  enemy, 
who  was  advancing  with  a  strong  reinforcement,  under 
General  Drummond. 

General  Brown,  sapported  by  General  Scott,  met  the 
enemy  at  Bridgewaler,  commanded  by  Generals  Drum 
mond  and  Riall  ;  a  desperate  action  commenced,  and 
continued,  with  various  successes,  until  midnight.  The 
Americans  carried  the  field,  and  the  British  retired. 
Generals  Brown  and  Scott,  were  both  wounded  in  this 
action,  and  General  Kipley  led  back  the  army,  the  next 
day,  to  fort  Erie. 

The  loss  of  the  British  in  this  action,  was  estimated 
at  860  killed  and  wounded  ;  and  the  loss  of  the  Ameri 
cans  at  about  the  same  number.  The  whole  force  en 
gaged,  was  4000  on  the  part  of  the  British,  and  3000 
on  the  part  of  the  Americans.  Few  actions  have  been 
recorded  more  bloody  than  this,  for  its  numbers  en 
gaged. 

FURTHER— BATTLE  OF  BRIDGEWATER. 

Copy  of  a  letter  from  Maj.  General  Rrown,  to  the  Secretary  of  Yf  ar, 
being;  his  detailed  report  of  the  Battle  of  Bndgewater,  fought  Ju 
ly  25,  1814. 

SIR, 

Confined  as  I  was,  and  have  been,  since  the  last  en 
gagement  with  the  enemy,  I  fear  that  the,  account  I  arn 
about  to  give,  may  be  less  full  and  satisfactory,  than, 


346  RISE  AND  PROGRESS  OF 

under  other  circumstances,  it  might  have  been  made.  I 
particularly  fear  that  the  conduct  of  the  gallant  men, 
it  was  my  good  fortune  to  lead,  will  not  be  noticed  in  a 
way  due  to  their  fame,  and  the  honor  of  our  country. 
You  are  already  apprised  that  the  army  had,  on  the 
25th  ult.  taken  a  position  at  Chippewa  ;  about  noon  of 
that  day,  Col.  Swift,  who  was  posted  at  Lewistown,  ad 
vised  me,  by  express,  that  the  enemy  appeared  in  con 
siderable  force,  in  Queenstown,  and  on  its  heights  ;  that 
four  of  the  enemy's  fleet  had  arrived,  during  the  prece 
ding  night,  and  were  then  lying  near  fort  Niagara  ;  and 
that  a  number  of  boats  were  in  view,  moving  up  the 
streight. — Within  a  few  minutes  after  this  intelligence 
had  been  received,  I  was  further  informed,  by  Capt. 
Denmon,  of  the  Quarter-Master's  department,  that  the 
enemy  was  landing  at  Lewistown  ;  and  that  our  bag 
gage  and  stores  at  Schlosser,  and  on  their  way  thither, 
were  in  danger  of  immediate  capture.  It  is  proper 
here  to  mention,  that  having  received  advices  as  late  as 
the  20th,  from  Gen.  Gaines  that  our  fleet  was  then  in 
port,  and  the  Commodore  sick,  we  ceased  to  look  for 
co-operation  from  that  quarter,  and  determined  to  dis 
encumber  ourselves  of  baggage,  and  march  directly  for 
Burlington  heights  :  to  mask  this  intention,  arid  to  draw 
from  Schlosser  a  small  supply  of  provisions,  I  fell 
back  upon  Chippewa.  As  this  arrangement,  under  the 
increased  force  of  the  enemy,  left  much  at  hazard,  on 
our  side  of  the  Niagara,  and  as  it  appeared,  by  the  be 
fore  stated  information,  that  the  enemy  was  about  to 
avail  himself  of  it,  I  conceived  that  the  most  effectual 
method  of  recalling  him  from  this  object,  was  to  put 
myself  in  motion  towards  Queenstown.  Gen.  Scott, 
with  the  1st  brigade,  Towson's  artillery,  and  all  the  drag 
oons  and  mounted  men,  were  accordingly  put  in  march, 
on  the  road  leading  thither,  with  orders  to  report  if 
the  enemy  appeared — then  to  call  for  assistance,  if  that 
was  necessary. 


THE  AMERICAN  NAVY.  347 

On  the  General's  arrival  at  the  falls,  he  learned  that 
the   enemy  was  in  force,  directly  in  his  front,   narrow 
pieces  of  woods  alone  intercepting  his  view  of  them  : 
waiting  only  to  give  this  information,  he  advanced  upon 
them  ;  by  the  time  assistant  Adj.  Gen.  Jones  had  deli 
vered  his  message,  the  action  began  ;  and  before  the 
remaining  part  of  the  division  had  crossed  the  Chippe- 
wa,  it  had  become  close   and  general  between  the  ad 
vanced  corps.     Though  Gen.  Ripley,  with  the  second 
brigade;    Major  Hindman,  with  the  corps  of  artillery, 
and  Gen.  Porter,  at  the  head  of  his  command,  had  res 
pectively   pressed  forward  with  ardor,  it  was  not  less 
than  an  hour  before  they  were  brought  to  sustain  Gen. 
acott,   during  which  time  his  command  most  skilfully 
and  gallantly,  maintained  the  conflict.     Upon  my  arri 
val,  I  found  that  the  General  had  passed  the  wood,  and 
engaged  the  enemy  on  the  Queenston  road,  and  on  the 
ground  to  the  left  of  it,  with  the  9th,  llth,  and  22d  re 
giments,  with  Towson's  artillery— the  25th  had  been 
thrown  to  the  right,  to  be  governed  by  circumstances. 
Apprehending  that  these  corps  were  much  exhausted 
and  knowing  that  they  had  suffered  severely,  I  deter 
mined  to  interpose  a  new  line  with  the  advancing  troops 
and  thus  disengage  Gen.  Scott,  and  hold  his  brigade  in 
reserve  ;  orders  were  accordingly  given  to  Gen.  Ripley 
I  he  enemy's  artillery,  at  this  moment,  occupied  a  hill 
which  gave  him  great  advantages,  and  was  the  key  of 
the  whole  position  ;  it  was  supported  by  a  line  of  infant 
ry.      1  o  secure  the  victory,  it  was  necessary  to  carry 
this  artillery,  and  seize  the  height  ;— this  dutr  was  as 
signed  to  Col.  Miller,  while,  to  favor  its  execution,  the 
1st  regiment,  under  the  command  of  Col.  Nicholas,  was 
lirected  to  menace  and  amuse  the  infantry.     To  my 
great  mortification,,  this  regiment,  after  a  discharge  or 
two,  gave  way,    and  retreated  some  distance  befon*  it 
could  be  rallied,  though,  it  is  believed,  the  officers  of  the 
regiment  exerted  themselves  to  shorten  this  distance.— 
In  the  mean  time,  Col.  Miller,  without  regard  to  thisoc- 


RISE  AND  PROGRESS  OF 


currence,  advanced  steadily,  and  gallantly,  to  his  object, 
and  carried  the  height,  and  the  cannon.     Gen.  Ripley 
brought  up  the  23d    (which  had  also  faltered,)   to  his 
support,  and  the  enemy  disappeared  from  before  them 
The  1st  regiment  was  now  brought  into  line,  on  trie  i 
of  the  2  1st  and  the  detachments  of  the   17th  and  19th, 
Gen   Porter  occupying,  with  his  command,  the  extreme 
left—  about  the  time  Col.  Miller  carried  the  enemy  a 


left 
cannon 


cannon.  _  j 

The  25th  regiment,  under  Major  Jessup,  was  engaged 
in  a  more  obstinate  contest,  with  all  that  remained  to 
dispute  with  us  the  field  of  battle.     The  Major  as  has 
been  already  stated,  had  been  ordered  by  General  ,     Ht, 
at  the  commencement  of  the  action,  to  take  ground  to 
the  right ;  he  had  succeeded  in  turning  the  enemy  s 
flank—had  captured  (by  a  detachment  under  Captain 
Ketchum,)  Gen.  Riall,  and  sundry  other  officers— and 
showed  himself  again,  to  his  own  army,  in  a  blaze  oi  nre, 
which  defeated  or  destroyed  a  very  superior  force  oi  the 
enemy.     He  was  ordered  to  form  on  the  right  oi  the  ^d 
regiment.     The  enemy,  rallying  his  forces,  and,  as  is  be 
lieved,  having  received  reinforcements,  now  attempted 
to  drive  us  from  our  position,  and  regain  his  artillery  ; 
our  line  was  unshaken,  and  the  enemy  repulsed  ;  two 
other  attempts,  having  the  same  object,  had  the  same 
issue-Gen.  Scott  was  again  engaged,  m  repelling  the 
former  of  these  ;  and  the  last  I  saw  of  him,  on  the  field 
of  battle,  he  was  near  the  head  of  his  column,  and  gi 
ving,  to  its  march,  a  direction  that  would  have  placed 
him  on  the  enemy's  right.     It  was  with  great  pleasure 
I  saw  the  good  order  and  intrepidity  of  Gen.  Porter  s 
volunteers,  from  the  moment  of  their  arrival ;  but,  du 
ring  the  last  charge  of  the  enemy,  those  qualities  were 
conspicuous— stimulated  by  the  example  set  them  by 
their  gallant  leader,  by  Major  Wood,  of  the  Tennsylva- 
nia  corps  by  Col.  Dobbin,  of  New-York,  and  by  their 
officer*  generally,  they  precipitated  themselves  upon  the 


THE  AMERICAN  NAVY.  349 

enemy's  line,    and  made  all  the  prisoners  which  were 
taken  at  this  point  of  the  action* 

Having  been  for  some  time  wounded,  and  being  a 
good  deal  exhausted  by  loss  of  blood,  it  became  my 
wish  to  devolve  the  command  on  Gen.  Scott,  and  retire 
from  the  field  ;  but,  on  inquiry,  I  had  the  misfortune  to 
learn  that  he  was  disabled  by  wounds ;  I  therefore  kept 
my  post,  and  had  the  Satisfaction  of  s  eing  the  enemy's 
last  effort  repulsed — I  now  consigned  the  command  to 
General  Ripley. 

While  retiring  from  the  Held,  I  saw  and  felt  that  the 
victory  was  complete  on  our  part,  if  proper  measures 
were  promptly  adopted  to  secure  it.  The  exhaustion 
of  the  men  was,  however,  such  as  made  some  refresh 
ment  necessary  ;  they  particularly  required  water — I 
was,  myself,  extremely  sensible  of  the  want  of  this  ne 
cessary  article  ;  I  therefore  believed  it  proper  that  Gen. 
Ripley,  and  the  troops,  should  return  to  camp,  after 
bringing  off  the  dead,  the  wounded  and  the  artillery  ; 
and,  in  this,  I  saw  no  difficulty,  as  the  enemy  had  en 
tirely  ceased  to  act.  Within  an  hour  after  my  arrival 
in  camp,  I  was  informed  that  Gen.  Ripley  had  return 
ed,  without  annoyance,  and  in  good  order.  I  now  sent 
for  him,  and,  after  giving  him  my  reasons  for  the  meas 
ure  I  was  about  to  adopt,  ordered  him  to  put  the  troops 
in  the  best  possible  condition  ;  to  give  to  them  the  ne 
cessary  refreshment ;  to  take  with  him  the  picquets  and 
camp  guards,  and  every  other  description  of  force  ;  to 
put  himself  on  the  field  of  battle  as  the  day  dawned, 
and  there  to  meet  and  beat  the  enemy,  if  he  appeared — 
to  this  order  he  made  no  objection,  and  I  relied  upon 
its  execution  ; — it  was  not  executed.  I  feel,  most  sen 
sibly,  how  inadequate  are  my  powers  in  speaking  of  the 
troops,  to  do  justice  either  to  their  merits,  or  to  my  own 
sense  of  them — under  able  direction  they  might  have 
done  more,  and  better. 
30 


350  R*SE  AND  PROGRESS  OF 

From  the  preceding  detail,  you  have  new  evidence 
of  the  distinguished  gallantry  of  Generals  Scott  and  Por 
ter,  of  Col.  Miller,  and  Major  Jessup. 

Of  the  1st  brigade,  the  chief,  with  his  aid-de-camp, 
Worth,  his  Major  of  brigade,  Smith,  and  every  com 
mander  of  battalion,  were  wounded.  The  2d  brigade 
suffered  less  ;  but,  as  a  brigade,  their  conduct  entitled 
them  to  the  applause  of  their  country.  After  the  ene 
my's  strong  position  had  been  carried  by  the  21st,  and 
detachments  of  the  17th  and  19th,  the  1st  and  23d  as 
sumed  a  new  character— they  could  not,  again,  be  shak 
en  or  dismayed.  Major  M'Farland,  of  the  latter,  fell 
nobly  at  the  head  of  his  battalion.  Under  the  com 
mand  of  Gen.  Porter,  the  militia  volunteers  of  Penn 
sylvania  and  New- York,  stood  undismayed,  amidst  the 
hottest  fire,  and  repulsed  the  veterans  opposed  to  them. 
The  Canadian  volunteers,  commanded  by  Col.  Wilson, 
are  reported  by  Gen.  Porter,  as  having  merited  and  re 
ceived  his  approbation.  The  corps  of  artillery,  com 
manded  by  Major  Hindman,  behaved  with  its  usual  gal 
lantry.  Capt.  Towson's  company,  attached  to  the  1st 
brigade,  was  the  first  and  the  last  engaged  ;  and,  during 
the  whole  conflict,  maintained  that  high  character,  which 
they  had  previously  won  by  their  skill  and  valor. — 
Captains  Biddle  and  Ritchie  were  both  wounded  early 
in  the  action,  but  refused  to  quit  the  field  ;  the  latter 
declared  that  he  never  would  leave  his  piece — and,  true 
to  his  engagement,  fell  by  its  side,  covered  with  wounds. 
The  staff  of  the  army  had  its  peculiar  merit  and  dis 
tinction — Col.  Gardner,  Adj.  Gen.  though  ill,  was  on 
horseback,  and  did  all  in  his  power  ;  his  assistant,  Major 
Jones,  was  very  active  and  useful  ;  my  gallant  aids-de 
camp,  Austin  and  Spencer,  had  many,  and  critical,  du 
ties  to  perform — in  the  discharge  of  which,  the  latter 
fell : — I  shall  ever  think  of  this  young  man,  with  pride 
and  regret — regret,  that  his  career  has  been  so  short ; 
pride,  that  it  has  been  honorable  and  distinguished. — 
TUe  engineers,  Majors  M'Rea  and  Wood,  were  great!' 


THE  AMERICAN  NAVY.  351 

distinguished  on  this  day,  and  their  high  military  talents, 
exerted  with  great  effect ;  they  were  much  under  my 
eye,  and  near  my  person — and,  to  their  assistance,  a 
great  deal  is  fairly  to  be  ascribed  ;  I  most  earnestly  re 
commend  them,  as  worthy  of  the  highest  trust  and  con 
fidence. 

The  staff  of  Generals  Ripley  and  Porter  discovered 
great  zeal,  and  attention  to  duty.  Lieut.  E.  B.  Ran 
dolph,  of  the  20th,  is  entitled  to  notice — his  courage 
was  conspicuous. 

I  enclose  a  return  of  our  loss  ;  those  noted  as  missing 
may  generally  be  numbered  with  the  dead.     The  ene 
my  had  but  little  opportunity  of  making  prisoners. 
I  have  the  honor,  &c. 

JACOB  BROWN. 

Hon.  J.  ARMSTRONG, 
Sec.  War. 

Return  of  killed,  wounded  and  missing,  in  the  above 
action. — Killed,  171 — Wounded,  570 — Missing,  117 — 
Total,  858. 

C.  K.  GARDNER,  Adj.  Gen. 

Return  of  prisoners,  taken  from  the  enemy  in  the 
above  action,  viz. —  1  Major  General,  (Riall) — 1  Aid 
(to  Lt.  Gen.  Drummond) — 6  Captains — 11  Subaltern* 
—  150  rank  and  file — Total,  169. 

AZ.  ORNE,  Assist.  Insp.  Gen. 

The  British  official  account  of  the  above  action  makes 
their  loss  as  follows,  viz. — Killed,  84 — Wounded,  559 
•—Missing,  193— Prisoners,  42— Total,  878. 

(Signed)  ED.  BAYNES. 


352  RISE  AND  PROGRESS  OF 


BATTLE  OF  BRIDGEWATER. 

Copy  of  a  letter  from  Capt.  L.  Austin,  Aid  to  Gen.  Brown,  to  the 

Secretary  of  War,  dated 
| 

H.  Q.  Buffalo,  29th  July,  1814. 

I  have  the  honor  of  addressing  you  by  desire  of  Gen. 
Brown,  who  is  now  confined  by  wounds,  received  in  a 
severe  and  desperate  engagement  with  the  enemy,  on 
the  afternoon  and  night  of  the  25th  inst. 

-,  Our  army  had  fallen  back  toChippewa.  The  enemy, 
collecting  every  regiment  from  Burlington  and  York, 
and  meeting  with  no  opposition  on  Lake  Ontario,  trans 
ported,  by  water,  to  fort  George,  troops  from  Kingston, 
and  even  Prescott,  which  enabled  them  to  bring  a  force 
against  us,  vastly  superior,  under  the  command  of  Lieut. 
Gen.  Drummond  and  Maj.  Gen.  Riall.  They  were 
met  by  us  near  the  falls  of  Niagara,  where  a  most  se 
vere  conflict  ensued  ;  the  enemy  disputed  the  ground 
with  resolution,  yet  were  driven  from  every  position 
they  attempted  to  hold.  We  stormed  his  batteries,  di 
rectly  in  front,  and  took  possession  of  all  his  artillery  ; 
notwithstanding  his  immense  superiority,  both  in  num 
bers  and  position,  he  was  completely  defeated,  and 
our  troops  remained  on  the  battle  ground,  without  any 
interruption.  As,  however,  both  Generals  Brown  and 
Scott  had  received  severe  wounds — almost  every  chief 
of  battalion  disabled — and  our  men  quite  exhausted,  it 
was  thought  prudent  to  retire  to  our  encampment ; 
which  was  done  in  good  order,  without  any  molest- 
i'on  from  the  enemy — our  wounded  having  first  been 

emoved. 

Maj.  Gen.  Riall,  with  the  aid-de-camp  of  Lieut. 
Gen.  Drummond,  and  about  twenty  other,  officers,  with 
two  hundred  privates,  are  taken  prisoners. 


THE  AMERICAN  NAVY.  353 

The  loss,  on  both  sides,  is  immense  ;  but  no  account 
has  yet  been  returned.  The  aid,  and  brigade  Major  of 
Gen.  Scott,  are  both  severely  wounded ;  and  Capt. 
Spencer,  an  aid  of  Gen.  Brown,  most  proba&ly  dead, 
having  received  two  balls  through  his  body.  Both 
Generals  Brown  and  Scott  are  on  this  side,  confined  by 
their  wounds  ;  Gen.  Ripley  commands  on  the  other. 
General  Brown  received  his  wounds  at  the  same  instant 
during  a  late  part  of  the  action  ;  but  still  continued  to 
keep  his  horse,  until  exhausted  by  loss  of  blood — this, 
probably,  has  rendered  his  wounds  more  painful  thai* 
they  would  otherwise  have  been. 
I  have  the  honor.  &c. 

L.  AUSTIN,  A.  D.  Camp. 

Hou.  Sec.  War. 


CHAPTER  XXXIII. 

General  Operations   Continued. 
SIEGE  AT  FORT  ERIE. 

General  Drummond  advanced  and  invested  the 
American  army  in  fort  Erie  ;  but  finding  an  obstinate 
resistance,  he  attempted  to  carry  it  by  storm,  August 
1 5th.  Here  the  scenes  of  Chippewa  and  Bridgewater, 
were  renewed.  The  enemy  were  repulsed  with  great 
loss. 

General  Brown  had  now  recovered  of  his  wound* 
and  resumed  the  command,  September  2d. 

General  Drummond  continued  his  operations  before 
fort  Erie  ;  stengthened  his  works  and  pushed  the  siege. 

On  the  1 7th,  General  Brown  executed  a  gallant  sortie, 
by  performing  a  circuitous  march,  and  surprised  the  en- 
30* 


354  RISE  AND  PROGRESS  OF 

eniy  upon  the  flank  of  his  trenches;  charged  him  in 
column,  and  carried  his  works  with  a  dreadful  carnage. 
More  than  800  men  fell,  on  the  side  of  the  enemy,  and 
the  Americans  lost  300.  General  Drummond  raised 
the  siege  and  retired  to  Chippewa. 


BATTLE  AT  FORT  ERIE. 

Copies  of  letters  from  Brig.  Gen.  Games,  to  the  Secretary  of  War. 
dated 

H.  Q.  Fort  Erie,  U.  C.  Aug.  23d,  1814. 
SIR, 

Loss  of  sleep,  and  constant  exposure  to  the  weather, 
in  its  various  changes,  gave  me,  some  days  ago,  a  vio 
lent  cold,  which  has  put  it  out  of  my  power  to  do  any 
thing  more  than  the  state  of  the  service  here  rendered 
absolutely  indispensable  ;  hence  my  apology  for  delay 
ing,  until  this  day,  my  report  of  the  battle  of  the  1 5th 
inst. 

General  Drummond  is  quietly  engaged,  in  collecting 
his  reinforcements  ;  his  camp  appears  to  be  fortified  :  1 
attempted  to  look  at  it,  a  few  days  past,  and  it  cost  me 
a  fine  young  officer,  Lieut.  Yates,  of  the  4th  rifle  re 
giment,  killed,  and  Lieut.  Kearsley,  of  that  excellent 
corps,  with  Lieut.  Childs,  of  the  9th,  wounded  ;  with 
the  loss  of  some  2  or  3  privates  killed,  and  5  or  6 
wounded.  The  loss  of  the  enemy,  I  was  unable  to  as 
certain  ;  he  would  not  leave  his  defences,  and  I  did  not 
think  fit  to  leave  mine  at  all  exposed.  Several  desert 
ers  say,  that  the  6th  and  82d  regiments  arrived  last 
night — if  this  be  true,  their  strength  is  about  the  same 
as  it  was  before  the  battle  of  the  ISth;  their  Col. 
Scott,  is  dead.  About  20  deserters  from  the  De.  Wat- 
teville  regiment,  and  some  few  from  other  corps,  concur 


THE  AMERICAN  NAVY.          .  355 

in  the  report,  that  their  loss  in   killed,  wounded,   and 
missing,  on  the  15th,  was  upwards  of  a  thousand. 

E.  P  GAINES,  B.  Gen.  Comg. 
Gen.  ARMSTRONG, 

Sec'y  War. 


DETAILED  REPORT. 

H.  Q.  Left  Wing  2of  Division,  Fort  Erie, 

U.  C.  Aug.  1814. 
SIR, 

1  have  the  honor  to  communicate,  for  the*  informa 
tion  of  the  department  of  war,  the  particulars  of  the 
battle  fought  at  this  place,  on  the  15th  inst.  between  the 
left  wing  of  the  2d  division  of  the  northern  army,  under 
my  command,  and  the  British  forces  in  the  Peninsula  of 
U.  C.  commanded  by  Lieut.  Gen.  Drummond,  which 
terminated  in  a  signal  victory,  in  favor  of  the  United 
American  arms.  Our  position,  on  the  margin  of  the 
lake,  at  the  entrance  of  the  Niagara  river,  being  nearly 
a  horizontal  plane,  12  or  15  feet  above  the  surface 
of  the  water,  possessing  few  natural  advantages,  had 
been  strengthened  in  front,  by  temporary  parapet 
breastworks,  intrenchments,  and  abattis,  with  two  bat 
teries  and  6  field  pieces.  The  small,  unfinished  fort, 
Erie,  with  a  24,  18  and  12prs.  form  the  N.  E.— andthe 
Douglass  battery,  with  an  1 8,  and  6  pr.  near  the  edge 
of  the  lake,  the  S.  E.  angle  of  our  right ;  the  left  is  de 
fended  by  a  redoubt  battery,  with  6  field  pieces,  just 
thrown  up  on  a  small  ridge  ;  our  rear  was  left  open  to 
the  lake,  bordered  by  a  rocky  shore  of  easy  ascent ; 
the  battery,  on  the  left,  was  defended  by  Capt.  Tow- 
son  ;  Fort  Erie,  by  Capt.  Williams,  with  Major  Trim 
ble's  command,  of  the  19th  infantry  ;  the  batteries  on 
the  front,  by  Captains  Biddle  and  Fanning  ;  the  whole 
of  the  artillery  commanded  by  Major  Hindrnan.  Parti 
of  the  1 1th,  9th,  and  22d  infantry,  (of  the  late  veteran 


356  RISE  AND  PROGRESS  OF 

brigade  of  Maj.  Gen.  Scott,)  were  posted  on  the  right, 
under  the  command  of  Lieut.  Col.  Aspinwall  ;  Gen. 
Ripley's  brigade,  consisting  of  the  21st  and  23d,  defend 
ed  on  the  left  ;  Gen.  Porter's  brigade,  of  the  New  York 
and  Pennsylvania  volunteers,  with  our  distinguished  ri 
flemen,  occupied  the  centre. 

I  have,  therefore,  omitted  stating  to  you,  that,  during 
the  13th  and  14th,  the  enemy  had  kept  up  a  brisk  can 
nonade,  which  was  sharply  returned  from  our  batteries, 
without  any  considerable  loss  on  our  part ;  at  6,  P.  M. 
one  of  their  shells  lodged  in  a  small  magazine,  in  fort 
Erie,  which  was  fortunately  almost  empty  ;  it  blew  up, 
with  an  explosion,  more  awful  in  its  appearance  than 
injurious  in  its  effects,  as  it  did  not  disable  a  man,  or 
damage  a  gun.  It  occasioned  but  a  momentary  cessa 
tion  of  the  thunders  of  the  artillery,  on  both  sides  ;  it 
was  followed  by  a  loud  and  joyous  shout  of  the  British 
army,  which  was  instantly  returned  on  our  part  ;  and 
Capt.  Williams,  amidst  the  smoke  of  the  explosion,  re 
newed  the  contest  by  an  animated  roar  of  his  heavy 
cannon. 

From  the  supposed  loss  of  our  ammunition,  and  the 
consequent  depression  such  an  event  was  likely  to  pro 
duce  upon  the  minds  of  our  men,  I  felt  persuaded  that 
this  explosion  would  lead  the  enemy  to  assault,  and 
made  my  arrangements  accordingly — the  annexed  pa 
per,  No.  1.  is  a  copy  of  Lieut.  Gen.  Drummond's  plan 
of  attack. 

The  night  was  dark,  and,  the  early  part  of  it,  rain 
ing  ;  but  the  faithful  centinel  slept  not : — one  third  of 
the  troops  were  up  at  their  posts.  At  half  past  2 
o'clock,  the  right  column  of  the  enemy  approached  ; 
and,  though  enveloped  in  darkness,  black  as  his  designs 
and  principles,  was  distinctly  heard  on  our  left,  and 
promptly  marked  by  our  musquetry,  under  Major 
Wood,  and  artillery,  under  Capt.  Towson.  Being 
mounted  at  the  moment,  I  repaired  to  the  point  of  at 
tack,  where  the  sheet  of  fire,  rolling  from  ToweoiTi  bat- 


THE  AMERICAN  NAVY.  35? 

* 

tory  and  the  musquetry,  of  the  left  wing  of  the  21st  in 
fantry,  under  Major  Wood,  enabled  me  to  see  the  ene 
my's  column,  of  about  1500  men,  approaching  on  that 
point  ;  his  advance  was  not  checked,  until  it  approach 
ed  within  10  feet  of  our  infantry  ;  a  line  of  loose  brush, 
representing  an  ahattis,  only  intervened  ;  a  column  of 
the  enemy  attempted  to  pass  round  the  abattis,  through 
the  water,  where  it  was  nearly  breast  deep  :  apprehend 
ing  that  this  point  would  be  carried,  I  ordered  a  de 
tachment  of  riflemen  and  infantry  to  its  support;  but 
having  met  with  the  gallant  commander,  Major  Wood, 
was  assured  by  him  that  he  could  defend  his  position 
without  reinforcements. 

At  this  moment  the  enemy  were  repulsed  ;  but  in 
stantly  renewed  the  charge,  and  were  again  repulsed. 
My  attention  was  now  called  to  the  right,  where  our 
batteries  and  lines  were  soon  lighted  by  a  most  bril 
liant  fire,  of  cannon  and  musquetry  ;  it  announced  the 
approach  of  the  centre  and  left  columns  of  the  enemy, 
under  Colonels  Drummond  and  Scott — the  latter  was 
received  by  the  veteran  9th,  under  the  command  of 
Capt.  Foster,  and  Captains  Boughton  and  Handing's 
companies  of  New-York  and  Pennsylvania  volunteers, 
aided  by  a  6  pr.  judiciously  posted  by  Major  M'Rea, 
chief  engineer,  who  was  most  active  and  useful  at  this 
point — they  were  repulsed.  That  of  the  centre,  led 
by  Col.  Drummond,  was  not  long  kept  in  check  ;  it  ap 
proached,  at  once,  every  assailable  point  of  the  fort, 
and,  with  scaling  ladders,  ascended  the  parapet,  but  was 
repulsed  with  dreadful  carnage.  The  assault  was 
twice  repeated,  and  as  often  checked  ;  but  the  enemy, 
having  moved  round  in  the  ditch,  covered  by  darkness, 
added  to  the  heavy  cloud  of  smoke  which  had  rolled 
from  our  cannon  and  musquetry,  enveloping  surround 
ing  objects,  repeated  the  charge,  re-ascended  the  lad 
ders — their  pikes,  bayonets,  and  spears,  fell  upon  our 
gallant  artillerists.  The  gallant  spirits  of  our  favorite, 
Capt.  Williams,  and  Lieuts.  M'Donoagh  and  Wat- 


358  RISE  AND  PROGRESS  OF 

reough,  with  their  brave  men,  were  overcome — the  two 
former,  and  several  of  their  men,  received  deadly 
wounds — our  bastion  was  lost.  Lieut.  M'Donough, 
being  severely  wounded,  demanded  quarter;  it  was  re 
fused  by  Co).  Drummond — the  Lieutenant  then  seized 
a  handspike,  and  nobly  defended  himself,  until  he  was 
shot  down  with  a  pistol,  by  the  monster  who  had  refused 
him  quarter  ;  who  often  reiterated  the  order,  u  give  the 
damned  yankees  no  quarter.'1  This  officer,  whose 
bravery,  if  it  had  been  seasoned  with  virtue,  would  have 
entitled  him  to  the  admiration  of  every  soldier — this 
hardened  murderer  soon  met  his  fate  :  he  was  shot 

through  the  breast  by ,  of  the regiment,  while 

repeating  the  order,  to  "  give  no  quarter."  The  battle 
now  raged  with  increased  fury,  on  the  right ;  but  on  the 
|eft,  the  enemy  was  repulsed  and  put  to  flight ;  thence, 
and  from  the  centre-,  I  ordered  reinforcements — they 
were  promptly  sent,  by  Brig.  Gen.  Ripley  and  Gen. 
Porter.  Capt.  Fanning,  of  the  corps  of  artillery,  kept 
a  spirited  and  destructive  fire,  with  his  field  pieces,  on 
the  enemy  attempting  to  approach  the  fort.  Major 
Hindtnau's  gallant  efforts,  aided  by  Major  Trimble, 
having  failed  to  drive  the  enemy  from  the  bastion,  with 
the  remaining  artillery  and  infantry,  in  the  forts,  Capt. 
Birdsall,  of  the  4th  rifle  regiment,  with  a  detachment 
of  riflemen,  gallantly  rushed  in,  through  the  gateway, 
to  their  assistance  ;  and  with  some  infantry,  charged 
the  enemy — but  was  repulsed,  and  the  Captain  severely 
wounded.  A  detachment  from  the  llth,  19th,  and  22d 
infantry,  under  Capt.  Foster,  of  the  llth,  were  intro 
duced  over  the  interior  bastion,  for  the  purpose  of 
charging  the  enemy  ;  Major  Hal!,  assistant  Inspector- 
General,  very  handsomely  tendered  his  services  to  lead 
the  charge  ;  the  charge  was  gallantly  made  by  Capt. 
Foster,  and  Major  Hall  ;  but  owing  to  the  narrowness 
of  the  passage  up  the  bastion,  admitting  only  2  or  3 
men  abreast,  it  failed  : — it  was  often  repeated,  and  as 
often  checked.  The  enemy's  force  in  the  bastion  was, 


THE  AMERICAN  NAVY.  359 

however,  much  cut  to  pieces,   and  diminished,  by  our 
artillery  and  small  arms. 

At  this  moment,  every  operation  was  arrested  by  the 
explosion  of  some  cartridges,  deposited  in  the  end  of 
the  stone  building,  adjoining  the  contested  bastion — 
the  explosion  was  tremendous — it  was  decisive — the 
bastion  was  restored.  At  this  moment  Capt.  Biddle 
was  ordered  to  cause  a  field  piece  to  be  posted,  so  as  to 
eniilade  the  exterior  plain  and  salient  glacis.  The 
Captain,  though  not  recovered  from  a  severe  contusion 
in  the  shoulder,  received  from  one  of  the  enemy's 
shells,  promptly  took  his  position,  and  served  his  field 
piece  with  vivacity  and  effect.  Capt.  Fanning's  batte 
ry,  likewise,  played  upon  them,  at  this  time,  with  great 
effect—  the  enemy  were,  in  a  few  moments,  entirely 
defeated,  taken,  or  put  to  flight,  leaving  on  the  field 
221  killed,  174  wounded,  and  186  prisoners — (581,)  in 
cluding  14  officers  killed,  and  7  wonnded  arid  prison 
ers  ;  a  large  portion  are  so  severely  wounded  that  they 
cannot  survive  ;  the  slightly  wounded,  it  is  presumed, 
were  carried  off. 

To  Brig.  Gen.  Ripley,  much  credit  is  due,  for  the  ju 
dicious  disposition  of  the  left  wing,  previous  to  the  ac 
tion,  and  for  the  steady  disciplined  courage  manifested 
by  him,  and  his  immediate  command  ;  and  for  the 
promptness  with  which  he  complied  with  my  orders, 
for  reinforcement,  during  the  action.  Brig.  Gen.  Por 
ter,  commanding  the  New-York  and  Pennsylvania  vo 
lunteers,  manifested  a  degree  of  vigilance  and  judg 
ment,  in  his  preparatory  arrangements,  as  well  as  mili 
tary  skill  and  courage,  in  action,  which  proves  him  to  be 
worthy  the  confidence  of  his  country,  and  the  brare 
volunteers  who  fought  under  him.  Of  the  volunteers, 
Captains  Boughton  and  Harding,  with  their  detach 
ments  posted  on  the  right,  and  attached  to  the  line, 
commanded  by  Capt.  E.  Foster,  of  the  veteran  9th  in 
fantry,  handsomely  contributed  to  the  repulse  of  the  left 
column  of  the  enemy,  under  Col.  Scott. 


360  RISE  AND  PROGRESS  OF 

The  judicious  preparations,  and  steady  conduct  of 
Lieut.  Col.  Aspinwall,  commanding  the  first  brigade, 
merit  approbation.  To  Major  M'Rea,  chief  engineer, 
the  greatest  credit  is  due,  for  the  excellent  arrangement, 
and  skilful  execution  of  his  plans  for  fortifying  and  de 
fending  the  right,  and  for  his  correct  and  seasonable 
suggestions  in  regaining  the  bastion.  Major  Wood,  ot 
the~engineers,  also  greatly  contributed  to  the  previous^ 
measures  of  defence  ;  he  had  accepted  the  command  of 
a  regiment  of  infantry,  (the  21st,)  for  which  he  has  often 
proved  himself  welf  qualified,  but  never  so  conspicu 
ously  as  on  this  occasion. 

Towson's  battery  emitted  a  constant  sheet  of  fire- 
Wood's  small  arms  lighted  up  the  space,  and  repulsed 
five  terrible  charges,  made  between  the  battery  arid  the 
lake.  Brig.  Gen.  Ripley  speaks  in  high  terms  of  the 
officers  and  men  engaged,  particularly  Captains  Mars- 
ton  and  Ropes.  Lieutenants  Riddle,  of  the  15th,  (do 
ing  duty  with  the  21st,)  and  Hall  ;  Ensigns  Benn,  Jones, 
Cummings,  and  Thomas,  of  the  21st,  and  Keally  and 
Green,  of  the  19th. 

Major  Hindman,  and  the  whole  of  the  artillery  under 
the  command  of  that  excellent  officer,  displayed  a  de 
gree  of  gallantry  and  good  conduct,  not  to  be  surpassed. 
TheparticularsituationofCapt.  Towson,and  the  much 
lamented  Captain  Williams  and  Lieutenant  M'Donough, 
and  that  of  Lieut  Watmough,  as  already  described,  with 
their  respective  commands,  rendered  them  most  con 
spicuous.  The  courage  and  good  conduct  of  Lieut. 
Zantzinger,  and  Lieut.  Chiles,  is  spoken  ^of  in  high 
terms,  by  Major  Hindman  and  Captain  Towson  ;  as 
also  that  of  serjeant-major  Denhon.  Captains  Biddls 
and  Fanning,  on*  the  centre  and  right  of  their  entrench 
ments,  threw  the'.r  shot  to  the  right,  left,  and  front,  and 
annoyed  the  Indians,  and  light  troops  of  the  enemy,  ap 
proaching  from  the  woods.  Lieut.  Fontaine,  in  his 
zeal  to  meet  the  enemy,  was  unfortunately  wounded, 
and  made  prisoner.  Lieut.  Bird  was  active  and  useful ; 


THE  AMERICAN  NAVY.  361 

and,  in  fact,  every  individual  of  the  corps  did  their  du 
ty. 

The  detachment  of  Scott's  gallant  brigade,  consist 
ing  of  parts  of  the  9th,  llth,  and  22d  infantry,  did  its 
duty  in  a  manner  worthy  the  high  reputation  the  bri 
gade  had  acquired  at  Chippewa,  and  at  the  falls  of  Nia 
gara.  The  9th,  under  the  command  of  Capt.  E.  Fos 
ter,  was  actively  engaged  against  the  left  of  the  enemy  ; 
and,  with  his  aid  Lieut.  Douglass1  corps  of  bombardiers 
commanding  the  water  battery,  and  of  that  of  the  vol 
unteers,  under  Captains  Boughton  and  Harding,  effected 
their  repulse.  The  good  conduct  of  Lieuts.  Childs, 
Cushman,  and  Foote,  and  Ensign  Blake,  deserves  com 
mendation. 

The  officers  killed,  are  Capt.  Williams  and  Lieut 
JvTDonough,  of  the  artillery — wounded,  6  other  subal 
tern  officers,  severely. 

Lieut.  Fontaine,  of  the  artillery,  who  was  taken  pri 
soner,  writes  from  the  British  camp,  that  he  fortunately 
fell  into  the  hands  of  the  Indians,  who,  after  taking  his 
money,  treated  him  kindly — it  would  seem,  then,  that 
these  savages  had  not  joined  in  the  resolution  to  give  no 
quarters. 

I  have  the  honor,  Sic. 

E.  P.  GAINES,  Brig.  Gen.  Comg. 

Hon.  J.  ARMSTRONG, 

Sec.   War. 
31 


36<2  RISE  'AND  PROGRESS  OF 


SORTIE  NEAR  FORT  ERIE. 

Copy  of  a  letter  from   Major-General  Brown,  to  the  Secretary    of 
War,  dated 

H.  Q.  Fort  Erie,  Sept.  18,  1814. 
SIR, 

I  have  the  satisfaction  to  anounce  to  you  a  brilliant 
achievement,  yesterday  effected  by  the  forces  under  my 
command.  A  sortie  was  made  upon  the  enemy's  bat 
teries — these  were  carried  ;  we  blew  up  his  principal 
work,  destroyed  his  battering  pieces,  and  captured  400 
prisoners.  The  enemy  resisted  our  assault  with  firm 
ness,  but  suffered  greatly — his  total  loss  cannot  be  less 
than  800  men. 

In  such  a  business,  we  could  not  but  expect  to  lose  ma 
ny  valuable  lives  ;  they  were  offered  up  a  voluntary 
sacrifice  to  the  safety  and  honor  of  this  army  and  na 
tion. 

I  will  forward  to  you  the  particulars  of  this  splendid 
affair,  with  a  return  of  the  killed  and  wounded,  in  the 
course  of  a  fewr  days. 

Very  respectfully,  &c. 

JACOB  BROWN. 

Hon.  Sec.  of  War. 


SORTIE  AT  ERIE. 

Copy  of  a  letter   from  Major-General   Brown,  to  the  Secretary  of 
War,  dated 

H.  Q.  Camp  Fort  Erie,  Sept.  29*A,   1814. 
SIR, 

In  my  letter  of  the  1 8th  inst.  I  briefly  informed  you 
of  the  fortunate  issue  of  the  sortie  which  took  place  the 
day  preceding.  But  it  is  due  to  the  gallant  officers  and 
men,  to  whose  bravery  we  are  indebted  for  our  success 


THE  AMERICAN  NAVY.  363 

on  this  occasion,  that  I  should  give  you  a  more  circum 
stantial  and  detailed  account  of  this  affair. 

The  enemy's  camp  I  had  ascertained  to  be  situated 
in  a  field  surrounded  by  woods,  nearly  two  miles  dis 
tant  from  their  batteries  and  entrenchments,  the  object 
of  which  was  to  keep  the  parts  of  the  force,  which  was 
not  upon  duty,  out  of  the  range  of  our  fire  from  fort 
Erie  and  Black  Rock.  Their  infantry  was  formed  into 
three  brigades,  estimated  at  12  or  15  hundred  men 
each.  One  of  these  brigades,  with  a  detail  from  their 
artillery,  was  stationed  at  their  works,  (these  being 
about  500  yards  distant  from  old  fort  Erie,  and  the 
ri^ht  of  our  line.)  We  had  already  suffered  much 
from  the  fire  of  two  of  their  batteries,  and  were  aware 
that  a  third  was  about  to  open  upon  us.  Under  these 
circumstances,  I  resolved  to  storm  the  batteries,  de 
stroy  the  cannon,  and  roughly  handle  the  brigade  upon 
duty,  before  those  in  reserve  could  be  brought  into  ac 
tion. 

On  the  morning  of  the  17th,  the  infantry  and  rifle 
men,  regulars  and  militia  were  ordered  to  be  paraded 
and  put  in  readiness  to  march,  precisely  at  12  o'clock. 
Gen.  Porter,  with  the  volunteers,  Colonel  Gibson,  with 
the  riflemen,  and  Major  Brooks,  with  the  23d  and  1st 
infantry,  and  a  few  dragoons,  acting  as  infantry,  were 
ordered  to  move,  from  the  extreme  left  of  our  position, 
upon  the  enemy's  right  by  a  passage  opened  through 
the  woods  for  the  occasion.  Gen.  Miller  was  directed 
to  station  his  command  in  the  ravine,  which  lies  be 
tween  fort  Erie  and  the  enemy's  batteries,  by  passing 
them  by  detachments  through  the  skirts  of  the  wood  ; 
and  the  21st  infantry,  under  Gen.  Ripley,  was  posted 
as  a  corps  of  reserve,  between  the  new  bastions  of  fort 
Erie — all  under  cover,  and  out  of  the  view  of  the  e«e- 
my. 

About  20  minutes  before  3,  P.  M.  I  found  the  left 
columns,  'under  the  command  of  Gen.  Porter,  which 
were  destined  to  turn  the  enemy's  right,  within  a  few 


364  RISE  AND  PROGRESS  OF 

rods  of  the  British  entrenchments.  They  were  ordered 
to  advance  and  commence  the  action.  Passing  down 
the  ravine,  I  judged,  from  the  report  of  musquetry, 
that  the  action  had  commenced  on  our  left ;  I  now 
hastened  to  Gen.  Miller,  and  directed  him  to  seize  the 
moment,  and  pierce  the  enemy's  entrenchment,  be 
tween  batteries  No.  2  and  3.  My  orders  were  promptly 
and  ably  executed.  Within  30  minutes  after  the  first 
gun  was  fired,  batteries  No  3  and  2,  the  enemy's  line  of 
entrenchments,  and  his  two  block-houses,  were  in  our 
possession.  Soon  after,  battery  No.  1  was  abandoned 
by  the  British.  The  guns,  in  each,  were  spiked  by  us, 
or  otherwise  destroyed,  and  the  magazine  of  No.  3  was 
blown  up. 

A  few  minutes  before  the  explosion,  I  had  ordered  up 
the  reserve,  under  Gen.  Ripley  ;  as  he  passed  me,  at 
the  head  of  his  column,  I  desired  him,  as  he  would  be 
the  senior  in  advance,  to  ascertain,  as  near  as  possible,, 
the  situation  of  the  troops  in  general,  and  to  have  a 
care,  that  not  more  was  hazarded  than  the  occason  re 
quired  ;  that  the  object  of  the  sortie  effected,  the 
troops  would  retire,  in  good  order,  &c. — Gen.  Ripley 
passed  rapidly  on.  Soon  after,  I  became  alarmed  for 
General  Miller,  and  sent  an  order  for  the  21st  to  hasten 
to  his  support,  towards  battery  No.  1  :  Col.  Upham  re 
ceived  the  order,  and  advanced  to  the  aid  of  Gen.  Mil 
ler. — Gen.  Ripley  had  inclined  to  the  left,  where  Maj. 
Brooks'  command  was  engaged,  with  a  view  of  making 
some  necessary  inquiries  of  that  officer  ;  and,  in  the 
act  of  doing  so,  was  unfortunately  wounded.  By  this 
time,  the  objectjof  the  sortie  was  accomplished  beyond 
my  most  sanguine  expectations.  Gen.  Miller  had  con 
sequently  ordered  the  troops,  on  the  right,  to  fall  back  ; 
observing  this  movement,  I  sent  my  staff  along  the  line 
to  call  in  the  other  corps.  Within  a  few  minutes, 
they  retired  from  the  ravine,  and  from  thence  to  camp. 

Thus,  one  thousand  regulars,  and  an  equal  portion  of 
mititia,  in  one  hour  of  close  action,  blasted  the  hopes 


THE  AMERICAN  NAVY.  365 

of  the  enemy,  destroyed  the  fruits  of  fifty  days  labor, 
and  diminished  his  effective  force  1000  men,  at  least. — 
I  am  at  a  loss  to  express  my  satisfaction  at  the  gallant 
,  tonductof  the  officers  and  men  of  this  division,  whose 
valor  has  shone  superior  to  every  trial.  Gen.  Porter, 
in  his  official  report  herein  enclosed,  has  very  properly 
noticed  those  patriotic  citizens,  who  have  done  so  much 
honor  to  themselves,  by  freely,  and  voluntarily  tender 
ing  their  services,  at  a  dangerous  and  critical  period. 

As  the  scene  of  action  was  in  the  wood,  in  advance 
of  the  position  I  had  chosen  for  directing  the  move 
ments  of  the  whole,  the  several  reports  of  the  com 
mandants  of  corps  must  guide  me,  in  noticing  individ 
uals. 

General  Miller  mentions  Lieut.  Col.  Aspinwall, 
Lieut.  Col.  Beedle,  Major  Trimble,  Capt.  Hull,  CapL 
Ingersol,  Lieut.  Crawford,  Lieut.  Lee,  and  particularly 
Ensign  O'Fling,  as  entitled  to  distinction. 

Lieut.  Col.  M'Donald,  upon  whom  the  command  of 
the  rifle  corps  devolved,  upon  the  fall  of  the  brave  and 
generous  Gibson,  names  Adjutants  Shortridge  of  the  1st,' 
and  Ballard  of  the  4th  regiment,  as  deserving  the  high 
est  applause,  for  their  promptness  and  gallantry  in  com 
municating  orders.  Of  the  other  officers  of  the  corps, 
he  reports  generally,  that  the  bravery  and  good  con 
duct  of  all  was  so  conspicuous,  as  to  render  it  impossi 
ble  to  discriminate. 

Major  Brooks,  to  whom  much  credit  is  due  for  the 
distinguished  manner  in  which  he  executed  the  orders 
he  received,  speaks  in  high  terms  of  Lieuts.  Goodell, 
Ingersol,  Livingston,  and  Ensigns  Brant  and  O'Fling, 
of  the  23d— particularly  of  the  latter.  Also  of  Capt. 
Simms,  Lieutenants  Bissel,  Shore,  and  Brinot  of  the 
1st  infantry,  and  Lieut.  Watts  of  the  dragoons. 

Lieut.  Col.  Upham,  who  took  command  of  the  re 
serve,  after  Gen.  Ripley  was  disabled,  bestows  great 
praise  upon  Major  Chambers,  of  the  4th  regiment  of 
riflemen,  attached  to  the  21st  infantry,  as  also  upon 
31* 


366  RISE  AND  PROGRESS  OF 

Capt.  Bradford,  and  Lieut.  Holding,  of  that  regiment 

My  staff,  Col.  Snelling,  Col.  Gardner,  Major   Jones, 
and  my  aid-de-camp,  Major  Austin,  and  Lieut.  Arm 
strong,  were,  as  usual,  zealous,  intelligent,  and  active — , 
they  performed  every  duty  required  of  them  to  my  en 
tire  satisfaction. 

Major  Hall,  Assistant  Inspector  Gen.  led  a  battalion 
of  militia,  and  conducted  with  skill  and  gallantry. — 
Lieut.  Kirby,  aid-de-camp  to  Gen.  Ripley,  was  ex 
tremely  active  and  useful,  during  the  time  he  was  in 
the  action. 

Lieutenants  Frazer  and  Riddle  were  in  Gen.  Por 
ter's  staff;  their  bravery  was  conspicuous,  and  no  offi 
cers  of  their  grade  were  more  useful. 

The  corps  of  artillery,  commanded  by  Major  Hind- 
man,  which  has  been  so  eminently  distinguished  through 
out  this  campaign,  had  no  opportunity  of  taking  a  part 
in  the  sortie.  The  25th  infantry,  under  Col.  Jessup, 
was  stationed  in  fort  Erie,  to  hold  the  key  of  our  posi 
tion. 

Col.  Brady,  on  whose  firmness  and  good  conduct 
every  reliance  could  be  placed,  was  on  command  at 
Buffalo,  with  the  remains  of  the  22d  infantry.  Lieut. 
Col.  M'Rea,  and  Lieut.  Col.  Wood,  of  the  corps  of  en 
gineers,  have  rendered  to  this  army  services  the  most 
important;  I  must  seize  the  opportunity  of  again  men 
tioning  them,  particularly  :  on  every  trying  occasion,  I 
have  reaped  much  benefit  from  their  sound  and  excel 
lent  advice  ;  no  two  officers  of  their  grade  could  have 
contributed  more  to  the  safety  and  honor  of  this  army. 
Wood,  brave,  generous,  and  enterprizing,  died,  as  he 
had  lived — without  a  feeling,  but  for  the  honor  of  his 
country  and  the  glory  of  her  arms  ; — his  name  and  ex 
ample  will  live,  to  guide  the  soldier  in  the  path  of  duty, 
so  long  as  true  heroism  is  held  in  estimation.  M'Rea 
lives  to  enjoy  the  approbation  of  every  virtuous  and 
generous  mind,  and  to  receive  the  reward  due  to  his 
services  and  high  military  talents. 


THE  AMERICAN  NAVY.  367 

It  is  proper  here  to  notice,  that  although  but  one 
third  of  the  enemy's  force  was  on  duty  when  his  works 
were  carried,  the  whole  we  brought  into  action  while 
we  were  employed  in  destroying  his  cannon.  We  se 
cured  prisoners  from  seven  of  his  regiments,  and  know 
that  the  6th  and  82d  suffered  severely  in  killed  and 
wounded,  yet  these  regiments  were  not  upon  duty. 

Lieut.  Gen.  Drummond  broke  up  his  camp,  during 
the  night  of  the  21st,  and  retired  to  his  entrenchments, 
behind  the  Chippewa.  A  party  of  our  men  came  up 
with  the  rear  of  his  army,  at  Frenchman's  Creek  ;  the 
enemy  destroyed  part  of  their  stores,  by  setting  fire  to 
the  buildings  from  which  they  were  employed  in  con 
veying  them.  We  found,  in  and  about  their  camp,  a 
considerable  quantity  of  cannon  ball,  and  upwards  of 
one  hundred  stand  of  arms. 

I  send  you,  enclosed  herein,  a   return  of  our  loss. 
The  return  of  prisoners  enclosed  does  not  include  the 
stragglers  that  came  in  after  the  action. 
I  have  the  honor,  &c. 

JACOB  BROWN. 

Hon.  Sic'y  War. 

Report  of  the  killed,  wounded,  and  missing,  in  the 
above  action. — Killed,  79 — wounded,  216 — missing, 
216— total  511. 

C.  K.  GARDNER,  Adj.  Gen. 

Return  of  prisoners  taken   in  the  above  action. — 
Two  Majors,  4  Captains,  4  Lieutenants,  1   Ensign,  1 
Assistant-Surgeon,  4  staff  sergeants,   19  sergeants,   17 
corporals,  1  drummer,  332  rank  and  file — total  385. 
J.  SNELL1NG,  Insp.  Gen. 

During  these  operation,  General  Izard  arrived  with 
a  reinforcement  from  Plattsburg,  of  400  men,  to  sup- 


368  RIS£  AND  PROGRESS  OF 

port  the  garrison  at  Erie  ;  but  finding  the  garrison  re 
lieved  by  the  retreat  of  the  enemy,  he  ordered  the  fort 
to  be  destroyed,  arid  retired  into  winter  quarters  at  Buf 
falo. 


CHAPTER  XXXIV- 

General  Operations  at  the  South. 
CAPTURE  OF  WASHINGTON,  &c. 

In  the  spring  of  1814,  Commodore  Barney  took  the 
command  of  a  small  flotilla  of  gunboats,  to  protect  the 
inlets,  and  small  rivers,  that  fall  into  the  Chesapeake 
bay.  About  the  1st  of  June,  the  enemy  entered  the 
Chesapeake  bay,  and  renewed  their  ravages,  with  great 
er  severity  than  they  had  done  the  last  year.  Sharp 
and  frequent  rencounters  took  place,  upon  the  water 
and  upon  the  land  ;  but  the  enemy  succeeded  in  laying 
waste  the  country,  and  carrying  off  the  negroes,  through 
the  months  of  June  and  July. 

About  tile  middle  of  August,  the  British  entered  the 
Chesapeake  with  a  fleet  of  about  60  sail,  including 
transports,  under  Admiral  Cockburn,  and  landed  about 
6000  men  at  Benedict,  on  the  Patuxent,  under  the  com 
mand  of  general  Ross. 

On  the  22d,  general  Ross  reached  the  Wood-yard, 
(so  called)  twelve  miles  from  Washington,  where  com 
modore  Barney  caused  a  large  flotilla  of  gun-boats  to  be 
destroyed,  to  prevent  their  falling  into  the  hands  of  the 
enemy. 

On  the  23d,  General  Ross  reached  Bladensburg,  six 
miles  from  Washington,  where  he  dispened  the  militia, 


THE  AMERICAN  NAVY.  369 

after  a  short  resistance,  and  advanced  to  the  city. — 
Commodore  Barney  had  assembled  a  small  force  in  de 
fence  of  the  capital,  with  several  eighteen  pounders, 
and  made  a  stand  ;  but  he  was  soon  overpowered  by 
numbers,  wounded  and  taken  prisoner,  and  the  capital 
fell  into  the  hands  of  the  enemy.  The  navy  yard  was 
destroyed. 

Here  stands  recorded  one  more  display  of  British 
magnanimity.  By  order  of  General  Ross,  the  capitol, 
the  President's  house,  and  executive  offices  were 
burnt. 

The  enemy  retired  on  the  night  of  the  25th,  by  rapid 
marches;  regained  their  ships  and  embarked. 

A  detachment  from  this  fleet  visited  Alexandria  ; 
plundered  the  city,  and  carried  off  a  quantity  of  flour. 
&c. 


COM.  BARNEY'S  FLOTILLA. 

Copy  of   a  letter  from  Commodore  Barney,  to  the  Secretary  of  the 
Xavy,  dated 


Sunday,  ^th  June,  1814—10,  A.  M. 
SIR, 

This  morning,  at  4,  a  combined  attack  of  the  artil 
lery,  marine  corps,  and  flotilla,  was  made  upon  the  ene 
my's  two  frigates,  at  the  mouth  of  the  creek  ;  after  two 
hours  engagement,  they  got  under  way,  and  made  sail 
down  the  river  ;  they  are  now  warping  round  Point-Pa 
tience,  and  I  am  moving  up  the  Patuxent,  with  my  flo 
tilla.  My  loss  is  acting  Midshipman  Asquith  killed,  and 
ten  others,  killed  and  wounded  —  [3  killed,  and  8  wound 
ed.] 


370  RISE  AND  PROGRESS  OF 

Mr.  Blake,  the  bearer  of  this,  was  a  volunteer  in  my 
barge— he  will  give  you  every  other  information. 
With  respect,  &c. 

JOSHUA  BARNEY, 
Hon.  W.  JONES, 

Sec^y  of  Navy. 


CHAPTER  XXXV. 

General  Operations  at  the  North, 

MACDONOUGH'S  VICTORY. 

The  darkest  period  of  this  ever  memorable  contest 
with  Britain  had  now  arrived.  The  storm  of  war  had 
raged  now  two  years  and  more,  along  the  Canada  fron 
tier,  and  among  the  Indians  at  the  south,  and  at  this 
eventful  moment  Washington,  the  capital  of  the  nation 
had  fallen  into  the  hands  of  the  enemy  ;  his  ravages  had 
marred  the  beauty  of  the  city,  and  the  public  buildings 
were  smoking  in  ruins.  The  storm  of  war  howled  along 
the  American  seaboard  ;  New  York  was  threatened  with 
a  formidable  invasion,  by  a  powerful  fleet,  and  Welling 
ton's  invincibles  were  prepared  to  co-operate  by  a  de 
scent  upon  Plattsburg,  and  marching  upon  Albany. 
Under  this  dark  and  gloomy  state  of  the  war,  Sir 
George  Prevost,  Gov.  of  Canada,  marched  upon  Platts 
burg,  with  an  army  of  14,000  men,  to  dislodge  Gen. 
M'Comb,  and  ravage  the  state  of  New  York.  Commo 
dore  Downie  at  the  same  time,  moved  with  the  squadron 
under  his  command  to  co-operate  with  Gen.  Prevost,  by 
destroying  the  American  squadron  under  the  command 
of  Commodore  Macdonough. 


THE  AMERICAN  NAVY.  371 

MACDONOUGITS  VICTORY. 

Copy  of  a  letter  from  Commodore  Macdonough,  to  the  Secretary  of 
-    the  Navy,  dated 

U.  S.  S.  Saratoga,  off  Plattsburg^ 

September,   \\th,    18 14. 
SIR, 

The  Almighty  has  been  pleased  to  grant  us   a  signal 
victory,  on  Lake  Champlain,  in   the  capture   of  one 
frigate,  one  brig,  and  two  sloops  of  war,  of  the  enemy. 
I  have  the  honor,  &c. 

T.  MACDONOUGH,  Com-. 
Hon.  W.  JONES,  Sec'y  of  Navy. 


FURTHER  OF  MACDONOUGH'S  VICTORY. 

Copy  of  a  letter  from  Commodore  Macdonough,  to  the  Secretary  of 
the  Navy,  dated 

U.  S.  S.  Saratoga,  Plait sburg  Bay, 

September,   13,    1814. 
SIR, 

I  have  the  honor  to  give  you  the  particulars  of  the  ac 
tion,  which  fc>ok  place  on  the  1 1th  instant  on  this  lake. 

For  severa!*days  the  enemy  were  on  their  way  to 
Plattsburgh,  by  land  and  water,  and  it  being  well  under 
stood,  that  an  attack  would  be  made,  at  the  same  time, 
by  their  land  and  naval  forces,  I  determined  to  await' 
at  anchor,  the  approach  of  the  latter.* 

**The  following  list  will  shew  the  relative  force  of  the  two  squad- 
rons. 

American,           Guns,  British,           Guns 

Saratoga,                26  Confiance,         39 

Efgle,                     20-  Brig  Linnet,      16 

Ticonderoga,         17  Sloop  Cherub,  11 

Preble,                     7  Finch,                 11 

10  G allies,  total     16  13  Gallies,  total  18 

Total          86.  Total      95. 


372  RISE  AND  PROGRESS  OF 

At  8  o'clock,  A.  M.  the  look-out  boat  announced  the 
approach  of  the  enemy — at  9,  he  anchored  in  a  line, 
ahead,  at  about  380  yards  distance  from  my  line — his 
ship  opposed  to  the  Saratoga,  his  brig  to  the  Eagle,  his 
gallies,  (13  in  number,)  to  the  schooner,  sloop,  and  a 
division  of  our  gallies,  one  of  his  sloops  assisting  their 
ship  and  brig,  the  other  assisting  their  gallies — our  re 
maining  gallies,  with  the  Saratoga  and  Eagle. 

In  this  situation,  the  whole  force,  on  both  sides,  be 
came  engaged  ;  the  Saratoga  suffering  much,  from  the 
heavy  fire  of  the  Confiance.  I  could  perceive,  at  the 
same  time,  however,  that  our  fire  was  very  destructive 
to  her.  The  Ticonderoga,  Lieut.  Comdt.  Cassin  gal 
lantly  sustained  her  full  share  of  the  action. 

At  half  past  10  o'clock,  the  Eagle,  not  being  able  to 
bring  her  guns  to  bear,  cut  her  cable,  and  anchored  in  a 
more  eligible  position,  between  my  ship  and  the  Ticon 
deroga,  where  she  very  much  annoyed  the  enemy,  but 
unfortunately  leaving  me  exposed  to  a  galling  fire  from 
the  enemy's  brig.  Our  guns,  on  the  starboard  side,  be 
ing  nearly  all  dismounted,  or  not  manageable,  a  stern  an 
chor  was  let  go,  the  bower  cable  cut,  and  the  ship  wind 
ed  with  a  fresh  broadside  on  the  enemy's  ship,  which 
soon  after  surrendered.  Our  broadside  was  then 
spmng,  to  bear  on  the  brig,  which  surrendtred  in  about 
15  minutes  after.  * 

The  sloop,  that  was  opposed  to  the  Eagle,  had  struck 
some  time  before,  and  drifted  down  the  line  ;  the  sloop, 
which  was  with  their  gallies,  having  struck  also. — 
Three  of  their  gallies  are  said  to  be  sunk  ;  the  others 
pulled  oflf.  Our  gallies  were  about  obeying,  with  alacri 
ty,  the  signal  to  follow  them,  when  all  their  vessels 
were  reported,  to  me,  as  being  in  a  sinking  state  ;  it 
then  became  necessary  to  annul  the  signal  to  the  gal 
lies,  and  order  their  men  to  the  pumps. 

I  could  only  look  at  the  enemy's  gallies  going  off,  in 
a  shattered  condition  ;  for  there  was  not  a  mast,  in 
either  squadron,  that  could  stand  to  make  sail  on  ;  the 


THE  AMERICAN  NAVY.  373 

lower  rigging  being  nearly  all  shot  away,  hung  down  ag 
though  it  had  been  just  placed  over  the  mast-heads. 

The  Saratoga  had  55  round  shot  in  her  hull  ;  the 
Confiance  105.  The  enemy's  shot  passed,  principally, 
just  over  our  heads,  as  there  were  not  20  whole  ham 
mocks  in  the  nettings,  at  the  close  of  the  action,  which 
lasted,  without  intermission,  two  hours  and  twenty  min 
utes. 

The  absence,  and  sickness  of  Lieut.  Raymond  Per 
ry,  left  me  without  the  services  of  that  excellent  officer  ; 
much  ought  fairly  to  be  attributed  to  him,  for  his  great 
care,  and  attention,  in  disciplining  this  ship's  crew,  as 
her  first  Lieutenant  ;  his  place  was  filled  by  a  gallant 
young  officer,  Lieut.  Peter  Gamble,  who,  I  regret  to  in 
form  you,  was  killed  early  in  the  action.  Acting  Lieut. 
Vallette  worked  the  1st  and  2d  divisions  of  guns,  with 
able  effect.  Sailing-master  Drum's  attention  to  the 
springs,  and  in  the  execution  of  the  order  to  wind  the 
ship,  and  occasipnally  at  the  guns,  meets  with  my  entire 
approbation  ;  also  Capt.  Youngs,  commanding  the  act 
ing  marines,  who  took  his  men  to  the  guns.  Mr.  Beale, 
Purser,  was  of  great  service  at  the  guns,  and  in  carrying 
my  orders  throughout  the  ship,  with  Midshipman  Mont 
gomery.  Master's  mate,  Joshua  Justin,  had  eommand 
of  the  third  division  ;  his  conduct,  during  the  action, 
was  that  of  a  brave  and  correct  officer.  Midshipmen 
Monteath,  Graham,  Williamson,  Platt,  Theving^  and 
acting  Midshipman  Baldwin,  all  behaved  well,  and  gave 
evidence  of  their  making  valuaHe  officers. 

The  Saratoga  was  twice  set  on  fire,  by  hot  shot  from 
the  enemy's  ship. 

I  close  sir,  this  communication  with  feelings  of  grati 
tude,  for  the  able  support  I  received  from  every  officer 
and  man  attached  to  the  squadron,  which  I  ha^e  the 
honor  to  command. 

I  have  the  honor,  &c. 

T.  MACDONOUGH. 

Hon.  W.  JONES,  Sec.  Navy. 
32 


374  RISE  AND  PROGRESS  OF 

Return  of  the  killed  and  wounded,  on  board  the    U. 
States    squadron,   in  the  above    action.—  Killed,   $2 
wounded,   58—  total,  1  10.     Our  force  amounted  to  8 
guus  —  that  of  the  enemy  to  95  guns. 

VICTORY  ON  LAKE  CHAMPLAIN. 

Copy  of   a  letter  from  George  Beale,  Jim.  to  Com.  Macdonough, 
17.  S.  S.  Saratoga,  Sept.   13,   1814. 

Sllhavc  the  honor  to  enclose  you  a  list  of  the  killed 
and  wounded  on  board  of  the  different  vesses  of  the 
squadron  under  your  command,  m  the  action  01 


f  Impossible  to  ascertain  correctly,  the  loss  of  the 
enemy  5  from  the  best  information  received  from 
British  officers,  from  my  own  observations,  and  from  va 
rious  lists,  found  on  board  theConfiance  ,  I  calculate  the 
Lumber  of  men,  on  board   that  ship  at  the  commence 
ment  of  the  action,  at  270,  of  whom,  at  least,  180  were 
killed  and  wounded  ;  and,  on  board  the  other  captured 
vessels,  at  least  80  more-making,  in  the  s  whole,  k 
and  wounded.  260.     This  is,  doubtless  short  of  the  real 
Dumber,  as  many  were  thrown  overboard,  from  the  Con- 

»r  th-n   «- 
hoard,  or  otherwise  disposed  of,  as  they  are  not  to   1 

found. 

I  am,  sir,  &c. 

GEO.  BEALE,  Jun.  Purser 
Tfeos.  MACDONOUGH,  Comg. 


!THE  AMERICAN  NAVY. 
DEFENCE  OF  FORT  MOREAU. 

@opy  of  a  letter  from  Gea.  Macomb,  to  the  Secretary  of  War,  date'd 

Fort  Moreau,  Sept.  12,   1814. 
SIR, 

I  have  the  honor  to  inform  you,  that  the  British 
army,  consisting  of  four  brigades,  a  corps  of  artillery,  a 
squadron  of  horse,  and  a  strong  light  corps,  amounting,in 
all,  to  about  fourteen  thousand  men,  after  investing  this 
pla^e  on  the  north  of  Saranac  river,  since  the  5th  inst. 
bnoke  «n>  their  camp,  and  raised  the  siege  this  morning, 
at  2  o'clock  ;  the)  are  now  retreating  precipitately, 
leaving  their  sick  and  wounded  behind.  The  enemy 
opened  his  batteries  yesterday  morning,  and  continued 
the  cannonading,  bo.nbarding,  and  rocket-firing,  until 
sunset ;  by  this  time  our  batteries  had  completely  silen 
ced  those  of  our  opponents. 

The  light  troops,  and  militia, are  novr  in  full  pursuit 
of  the  enemy,  making  prisoners  in  all  directions  ;  de 
serters  are  continually  coming  in,  so  that  the  loss  of 
the  British  army  in  this  enterprize,  will  be  considera- 
ble. 

A  more  detailed  report  will  bj  made  of  the  siege,  and 
circumstances  attending  it,  as  soon  as  possible. 

The  officers,  and  men,  have  all  done  their  duty.  The 
artillery,  and  the  engineers,  have  performed  their  func 
tions,  with  a  zeal  and  precision  highly  creditable  to 
themselves  and  honorable  to  their  country.  Our  loss 
is  trifling,  indeed  ;  having  only  1  officer  and  15  men 
killed,  and  1  officer  and  30  men  wounded. 

The  militia  of  New-York,  and  volunteers  of  Vermont, 
have  been  exceedingly  serviceable,  and  have  evinced  a 
degree  of  patriotism,  and  bravery,  worthy  of  themselves 


376  RISE  AND  PROGRESS  OF 

and  the  states  to  which  they  respectively  belong.  The 
strength  of  the  garrison  is  only  1,500  effective  men, 
rank  and  file. 

I  have  the  honor,  &c. 

ALEX.  MACOMB. 
Hon.  Sec.  War. 


GEN.  MACOMB'S  DETAILED  REPORT. 

Copy  of  a  letter  from  Brig.  Gen.  Macomb,  to  the   Secretary  of   War 
dated 

H.  Q.  Pittsburgh,  Sept.  15,  1814. 

SIR, 

I  have  the  honor  to  communicate,  for  the  information 
of  the  war  department,  the  particulars  of  the  advance  of 
the  enemy  into  the  territory  of  the  U.  States,  the  circum 
stances  attending  the  sie^e  of  Plattsburgh,  and  the  de 
fence  of  the  posts  entrusted  to  my  charge. 

The  Governor-General  of  the  Canadas,  Sir  George 
Prevost,  having  collected  all  the  disposable  force  of 
Lower  Canada,  with  a  v  iew  of  conquering  the  country 
as  far  as  Crown-point  and  Ticonderoga,  entered  the 
territory  of  the  U.  States,  on  the  first  of  the  month,  and 
occupied  the  village  of  Champlain — there  avowed  his 
intentions,  and  issued  orders  and  proclamations,  tending 
to  dissuade  the  people  from  their  allegiance,  and  inviting 
them  to  furnish  his  army  with  provisions.  He  immedi 
ately  began  to  impress  the  waggons,  and  teams,  in  the  vi 
cinity,  and  loaded  them  with  heavy  baggage  and  stores  ; 
from  this,  I  was  persuaded  he  intended  to  attack  this 
place.  I  had  but  just  returned  from  the  lines,  where  I 
had  commanded  a  fine  brigade,  which  was  broken  up  to 
form  the  division  of  Maj.  Gen.  Izard,  ordered  to  the 
westward.  Beingsenior  officer,  he  left  me  in  command  ; 
and,  except  the  four  companies  of  the  6th  regiment,  I 
bad  not  an  organized  battalion  among  those  remaining  ; 


THE  AMERICAN  NAVY.  377 

tke  garrison  was  composed  of  convalescents,  and  the  re 
cruits  of* the  new  regiments  —all  in  the  greatest  confusion, 
as  well  as  the  ordnance  and  stores,  and  the  works  in  no 
state  of  defence.  To  create  an  emulation  and  zeal, 
among  the  officers  and  men,  in  completing  the  works,  I 
divided  them  into  detachments,  and  placed  them  near 
the  several  forts — declaring,  in  orders,  that  each  detach 
ment,  w;is  the  garrison  of  its  own  work,  and  bound  t* 
defend  it  to  the  last  extremity. 

Ttie  enemy  advanced  cautiously,  and  by  short  march 
es,  and  our  soldiers  worked  day  and  night :  so  that,  by 
the  time  he  made  his  appearance  before  the  place,  we 
were  prepared  to  receive  him. 

Gen.  Izurd  named  the  principal  work  Fort  Moreau  ; 
and,  to  remind  the  troops  of  the  actions  of  their  brave 
countrymen,  I  called  the  redoubt,  on  the  right,  fort 
Brown;  and  that  on  the  left,  fort  Scott ;  besides  these 
three  works,  we  have  two  block-houses,  strongly  fortifi 
ed. 

Finding,  on  examining  the  returns  of  the  garrison^ 
that  our  force  did  not  exceed  fifteen  hundred  men  for 
duty,  and  well  informed  that  the  enemy  had  as  many 
thousand,  I  called  on  Gan.  Mooers,  of  the  New- York 
militia,  and  arranged,  with  him,  plans  for  bringing  forth 
the  militia,  enm-tsse.  The  inhabitants  of  tne  village 
fled,  with  their  families  and  elfects,  except  a  few  worthy 
citizens,  and  some  boys,  who  formed  themselves  into  a 
party,  received  rifles,  and  were  exceedingly  useful. 

By  the  4th  of  the  mouth,  Gen.  iVlooers  collected  about 
700 .militia,  and  advanced  7  miieson  the  Beekman  Town 
road,  to  watch  the  motions  of  the  enemy,  and  to  skirmish 
with   him  as  he  advanced— also,  to  obstruct  the  roads 
with  fallen  trees,  and  to  break  up, the, bridges.     On  the 
lake  road,  at  Dead-creek  bridge,  1  posted   200  men,  un 
der  Capt.  Sproul,  of  the  13th  regiment,  with  orders  to 
abattis  the  woods,  to  place  obstructions  in  the  road,  and 
o  fortify  himself;  to  this  party  I  added  two  field  pieces, 
n   advance   of  that  position,  was  Lieut.  Col. 
32* 


378  RISE  AND  PROGRESS  OF 

with  1 1 0  riflemen,  watching  the  movements  of  the  enem  y, 
and  procuring  intelligence.  It  was  ascertained  that,  be 
fore  day-light  on  the  6th,  the  enemy  would  advance  in 
two  columns,  on  the  two  roads  before  mentioned,  divid 
ing  at  Sampson's,  a  little  below  Chazy  village.  The  co 
lumn,  on  the  Beekman  Town  road,  proceeded  most 
rapidly  ;  the  militia  skirmished  with  their  advanced 
parties,  and,  except  a  few  brave  men,  fell  back  most 
precipitately  in  the  greatest  disorder,  notwithstanding 
the  British  troops  did  not  deign  to  fire  on  them,  except 
by  their  flankers  and  advanced  patroles.  The  night 
previous,  I  ordered  Major  Wool  to  advance,  with  a  de 
tachment  of  250  men,  to  support  the  militia,  and  set 
them  an  example  of  firmness  ;  also  Captain  Leonard,  of 
the  light  artillery,  was  directed  to  proceed  with  two  pie 
ces,  to  be  on  the  ground  before  day — yet  he  did  not 
make  his  appearance  until  8  o'clock,  when  the  enemy 
had  approached  within  two  miles  of  the  village  ;  with 
his  conduct,  therefore,  I  am  not  well  pleased.  Major 
Wool,  with  his  party,  disputed  the  road  with  great  ob 
stinacy,  but  the  militia  could  not  be  prevailed  on  to 
stand,  notwithstanding  the  exertions  of  the  General,  and 
staff  officers,  although  the  fields  were  divided  by  strong 
stone  walls,  and  they  were  told  that  the  enemy  could  not 
possibly  cut  them  off.  The  state  dragoons,  of  New- 
York,  wear  red  coats  ;  and,  they  being  on  the  heights  to 
watch  the  enemy,  gave  constant  alarm  to  the  militia, 
who  mistook  them  for  the  enemy,  and  fearing  his  getting 
in  their  rear.  Finding  the  enemy's  columns  had  pene 
trated  within  a  mile  of  Plattsburgh,  I  despatched  my  aid- 
de-camp,  Lieut.  Root,  to  bring  off  the  detachment  at 
Dead-creek,  and  to  inform  Lieut.  Col.  Appling  that  I 
wished  him  to  fall  on  the  enemy's  right  flank  ;  the  Col. 
fortunately  arrived  just  in  time  to  save  his  retreat,  and 
to  fall  in  with  the  head  of  a  column  debouching  from  the 
woods  ;  here  he  poured  in  a  destructive  fire  from  his  ri 
flemen  at  rest,  and  continued  to  annoy  the  column  until 
he  formed  a  junction  with  Major  Wool.  The  field  piecei 


THE  AMERICAN  NAVY.  379 

did  considerable  execution  among  the  enemy's  columns. 
So  undaunted,  however,  was  the  enemy,  that  he  never 
deployed  in  his  whole  march,  always  pressing  on  in  co 
lumn.  Finding  that  every  road  was  full  of  troops, 
crowding  on  us  on  all  sides,  I  ordered  the  field  pieces  to 
retire  across  the  bridge,  and  form  a  battery  for  its  protec 
tion,  and  to  cover  the  retreat  of  the  infantry,  which  was 
accordingly  done,  and  the  parties  of  Applingand  Wool,  as 
well  at  that  of  Sproul,  retired  alternately,  keeping  up  a 
brisk  fire,  until  they  got  under  cover  of  the  works.  The 
enemy's  light  troops  occupied  the  houses  near  the  bridge, 
and  kept  up  a  constant  firing  from  the  windows  and  bal 
conies,  and  annoyed  us  much — 1  ordered  them  to  be  dri 
ven  out  with  hot  shot,  which  soon  put  the  houses  in 
dames,  and  obliged  these  sharp-shooter-  to  retire.  The 
whole  day,  until  it  was  too  late  to  see,  the  enemy's  light 
troops  endeavored  to  drive  our  guards  from  the  bridge  ; 
but  they  suffered  dearly  for  their  perseverance.  An  at 
tempt  was  also  made  to  cross  the  upper  bridge,  where 
the  militia  handsomely  drov  e  them  back. 

The  column  which  marched  by  the  lake  road,  was 
much  impeded  by  obstructions,  and  the  removal  of  the 
bridge  at  Dead-creek  ;  and,  as  it  passed  the  creek  and 
beach,  the  gallies  kept  up  a  lively  and  galling  fire. 

Our  troops  being  now  all  on  the  south  side  of  the  Sa- 
ranac,  I  directed  the  planks  to  be  taken  off  the  bridges, 
and  piled  up  in  the  form  of  breast-works,  to  cover  our 
parties  intended  for  disputing  the  passage,  which  after 
wards  enabled  us  to  hold  the  bridges  against  very  supe 
rior  numbers.  From  the  7th  to~the  i  1th,  the  enemy 
was  employed  in  getting  his  battering  train,  and  erect 
ing  his  batteries  and  approaches,  and  constantly  skirm 
ishing  at  the  bridges  and  fords.  By  this  time,  the  mili 
tia  of  New- York,  and  volunteers  from  Vermont,  were 
pouring  in  from  all  quarters.  I  advised  Gen.  Moecrs  to 
keep  his  force  along  the  Saranac,  to  prevent  the  enemy 
crossing  the  river,  and  to  send  a  strong  body  in  the  rear, 
to  harass  him  day  and  night,  and  keep  him  in  continual 


-530  MSB  AND  PROGRESS  ©Y 

alarm.  The  militia  behaved  with  great  spirit  after  the 
firs!  day,  and  the  volunteers  from  Vermont  were  exceed 
ingly  serviceable.  Our  regular  troops,  notwithstanding 
the  constant  skirmishing,  and  repeated  endeavors  of  the 
enemy  to  cross  the  river,  kept  at  their  work,  day  and 
night  strengthening  their  defences,  and  evinced  a  de 
termination  to  hold  out  to  the  last  extremity. 

It  w.is  reported  that  the  enemy  only  awaited  the  ar 
rival  of  his  flotilla,  to  make  a  general  attack.  About 

8,  on  the  morning  of  the  1  Ith,  as  was  expected,  the  flo 
tilla  appeared  in  sight,  round  Cumberland  Head,  and  at 

9,  bore  down  and  engaged  our  flotilla,  at  anchor,  in  the 
bay,  off  this  town.     At  the  same  instant,  the   batteries 
were   opened   on  us,  and  continued    throwing  bomb 
shells,  shrapnells.  bails,  and  Congreve  rockets,  until  sun- 
sat,  vri.M  ttia  oo  n -Mr j  neat  ceased  ;  every  battery  of 
the  enemy  being  silenced  by  the  superiority  of  our  fire. 
The  naval  engagement  lasted  2   hours,  in   full  view  of 
both  armies  ;  three  eiferta   were  made,   by  the    enemy, 
to  pass  the  river  at  the  commencement  of  the  cannon 
ade  and   bombardment,   with    a  view  of  assaulting  the 
works,  and  had  prepared  for  that  purpose  an   immense 
number  of  scaling  ladders  ;  one  attempt  was   made  to 
cross  at  the  village  bridge  ;  another  at  the  upper  bridge  ; 
and  a   third,  at  a  ford,  about  three    miles    from    Hie 
works  ;  at  the  two  first  he  was  repulsed  by  the  regulars  ; 
at  the  ford,  by  the  brave  volunteers  and  .nnitia — where 
he  suffered  severely  in  killed,  wooded,  and  prisoners, 
a  considerable  body  having  passed  the  stream,  but  were 
either  killed,  taken,  or  driven  back. — The  woods,  at 
this  place,  were  very  favorable  to  the  operations  of  our 
militia  ;  a  whole  company    of  the  76th   regiment    was 
here  destroyed — the  three  Lieutenants,  aud  27  men, 
prisoners  ;  the  Captain,  and  the  rest,  killed. 

I  cannot  forego  the  pleasure  of  here  stating  the  gal 
lant  conduct  of  Captain  IVTGIassin,  of  the  I5fh  regi 
ment,  who  was  ordered  to  ford  the  river,  and  attack  a 
party  constructing  a  battery  on  the  right  of  the  enemy's 


THE  AMERICAN  NAVY,  381 

line,  within  500  yards  of  fort  Brown — which  he  hand 
somely  executed,  at  midnight,  with  50  men  ;  drove  off 
the  working  party,  consisting  of  150,  defeated  a  cover 
ing  party  of  the  same  number — killing  one  officer,  and 
G  men,  in  the  charge,  and  wounding  many.  At  dusk, 
the  enemy  withdrew  his  artillery  from  the  batteries, 
and  raised  the  siege ;  and,  at  9,  under  cover  of  the 
night,  sent  off  all  the  heavy  baggage  he  could  find  trans 
port  for,  and  also  his  artillery — at  2,  the  next  morning, 
the  whole  army  precipitately  retreated,  leaving  the  sick 
and  wounded  to  our  generosity,  and  the  Governor  left 
a  note  with  a  surgeon,  requesting  the  humane  attention 
of  the  commanding  General.  Vast  quantities  of  pro 
vision  were  left  behind,  and  destroyed  ;  also,  an  im 
mense  quantity  of  bomb-shells,  cannon  balls,  grape, 
shot,  ammunition,  flints,  &c.  &.c.  ;  intrenching  tools  of 
all  sorts,  also  tents,  and  marquees.  A  great  quantity 
has  been  found  in  the  ponds  and  creeks,  and  buried  in 
the  ground — and  a  vast  quantity  carried  off  by  the  in 
habitants.  Such  was  the  precipitance  of  his  retreat, 
that  he  arrived  at  Chazy,  a  distance  of  8  miles,  before 
we  had  discovered  he  had  gone.  The  light  troops,  vol- 
,unteers,  and  militia,  pursued  immediately,  on  learning 
his  flight  ;  and  some  of  the  mounted  men  made  prison 
ers  4  dragoons,  of  the  19th,  and  several  others  of  the 
rear  guard.  A  continued  fall  of  rain,  and  a  violent 
storm,  prevented  further  pursuit.  Upwards  of  300  de 
serters  have  come  in  and  many  are  hourly  arriving. 

The  conduct  of  the  officers,  non-commissioned  offi 
cers,  and  soldiers,  of  my  command,  during  this  trying 
occasion,  cannot  be  represented  in  too  high  terms  ; 
and  I  feel  it  rny  duty  to  recommend,  to  the  particular 
notice  of  government,  Lieut.  Col.  Appling,  of  the  1st 
rifle  corps;  Major  Wool,  of  the  29th;  Major  Totteii 
of  the  corps  of  engineers  ;  Captain  Brooks  of  the  ar 
tillery  ;  Captain  M'£lassin,  of  the  15th;  Lieutenants 
De  Russy  and  Trescott,  of  the  corps  of  engineers  ; 
Lietenants  Smyth,  Mountford,  and  Cromwell,  of  the  ar- 


33§  RISE  AND  PROGRESS  @F 

tillery;  also,my   aid,   Lieut.   Root,   who  have  distin 
guished  themselves,  by  their  uncommon  zeal  and  act 
ity,and  have  been  greatly  instrumental  in  producing  the 
happy  and  glorious  result  of  the  siege. 


1  have  the 


The  loss  of  the  enemy,  in  killed,  wounded,  prisoners, 
and   deserters,  since  his  first  appearance,  cannot   ft 
short  of  2,500,  including  many  officer*,  among  whom 
is  Colonel  Wellington,  of  the  Buffs. 

Return  of  killed  and  wounded,  on  the  American  side, 
durin*  the  skinni.hin*  and  bombardment  above  descvib- 
ed  :  Killed,  37—  wounded,  66—  missing,  20-  al, 

123. 

The  principal  officers  of  the  British  army,  under  Sir 
©.  P  revolt,  are  na.ned  by  Gen.  M  -comb  in  the  above 
account;  and  the  particular  description  of  forces,  how 
many  of  each  kind,  and  the  aggregate—  which  amounts 
to  fourteen  thousand. 

This  action  closed  the   campaign  of  the  North  glori 
ously.  and  the  armies  went  into  winter  quarters. 

REMARKS. 

Soon  after  the  declaration  of  war  in  1812,  the  gov 
ernment  appointed  Lieut.  Micdonongh  to  create,  and 
command  a  small  naval  force,  upon  lake  Charnplam,  for 
th-  defence  and  protection  of  our  northern  frontier. 
The  government  and  the  nation  knew  the  importance 
of  th?s  naval  force  upon  a  lake,  that  had  in  all  former 
wars  become  memorable  for  its  naval  actions  ;  they 
knew  and  felt  also,  the  high  trust  committed  to  Lieut 
Macdonou-h,  particularly  when  opposed  to  a  naval 


THE  AMERICAN  NAVY. 


commander  of  such  experience  and  distinction  as  Com 
modore  Downie.  They  also  knew  the  chivalrous  val 
our  Macdonoughhad  displayed,  in  the  naval  war  of  the 
Mediterranean,  particularly  in  the  destruction  of  the 
frigate  Philadelphia  ;  in  that  unequal  contest  with  the 
Tripolitan  gun  boats,  a  contest  eo  desperate,  so  bloody. 
and  yet  so  glorious.  Although  the  government  and 
the  nation-knew  this,  and  had  placed  the  strongest  pos 
sible  confidence  in  Commodore  \Jacdonough,  they  also 
felt  the  delicacy  of  his  situation,  and  their  feelings  were 
alive  to  the  crisis  before  them.  But  when  Commodore 
Macdonough  announced  the  glorious  victory  of  the 
llth  of  Sept.  1814,  all  hearts  expanded  with  exultation 
and  rapture;  and  were  equally  at  a  loss  which  most  to 
admire,  the  triumph  of  the  hero,  or  the  modesty  of  his 
official  report. 

It  is  not  for  me  to  say  that  this  was  one  of  the  most 
splendid  naval  actions,  ever  recorded,  when  the  glori- 
©us  victories  of  Copenhagen,  Aboukir  and  Trafalgar 
have  added  such  lustre  to  the  name  of  Nelson,  and  the 
victory  of  lake  Erie  to  the  name  of  Perry.  But  thus 
much  it  may  be  proper  for  me  to  say,  that  by  all  tacti- 
^cians  it  is  acknowledged,  that,  the  availing  force  has 
decidedly  the  advantage  in  all  contests,  whether  by 
land  or  sea,  and  ceteris  fraribus,  gives  him  a  fair  calcu 
lation  for  success.  Let  it  therefore  be  undeistood,  that 
at  the  victory  of  Copenhagen,  Nelson  was  the  assailant, 
and  the  enemy  at  anchor  in  the  port,  and  the  same  was 
true  at  the  battle  of  Aboukir.  That  at  the  battle  of 
Trafalgar,  the  enemy  were  under  an  easy  sail,  be-fore 
the  wind,  and  Nelson  the  assailant,  when  he  bore  down 
and  broke  their  line,  to  commence  the  action  ;  and  the 
sama  was  true  of  Perry,  hi  the  action  of  lake  Erie. 

But  Commodore  Matdonon.-.-.h  was  at  anchor  in  port, 
and  tilt1  •  env  he  ussaitant  who  chose  his  own  time,  and 
distance;  yet  such  wa?  the  nautical  skill,  and  superior 
ity  of  uavai  tp.fiicR  of  Commodore  Mr»cdonouigh,  that 
with  an  inferior  force  he  received  the  assailing  euemyy 


384  RISE  AND  PROGRESS  OF 

foiled  his  attack,  and  brought  the  flag  of  his  whole 
squadron  to  do  homage  to  that  of  the  United  States. 
Such  a  victory  stands  alone  in  the  annals  of  naval  war : 
it  fixed  the  keystone  to  the  triumphal  arch  of  Ameri 
can  naval  glory,  and  added  one  more  laurel  to  the  brow 
of  an  American  naval  hero. 


CHAPTER  XXXVI. 

General  Operations   Continued. 

On  the  15th  of  September,  1814,  a  small  British 
squadron  appeared  before  fort  Bowyer,  at  Mobile  Point, 
to  co:operate  with  a  land  force  of  100  marines  and  400 
Indians,  in  reducing  the  fortress  ;  but  such  was  the 
firmness  of  Captain  Lawrence,  that  with  a  garrison  of 
120  men,  he  resisted  the  repeated  attacks  of  the  ene 
my,  and  obliged  him  to  retire  with  loss,  and  abandon 
the  enterprise. 

On  the  5th  of  November,  General  Jackson  marched 
to  Pensacola,at  the  head  of  a  force  of  about  3000  men, 
to  chastise  the  English  and  Spaniards,  who  had  kindled 
and  kept  alive,  the  war  with  the  Seminole  Indians.  Af 
ter  destroying  their  forts  and  dispersing  the  British,  he 
returned  to  Mobile. 

The  marauders  of  the  Chesapeake,  when  they  aban 
doned  the  enterprise  against  Baltimore,  retired  to  Ber 
muda,  where  they  prepared  a  formidable  armament, 
and  sailed  to  New-Orleans'  with  a  fleet  of  sixty  sail, 
besides  transports  and  barges. 

Upon  the  first  intelligence  of  this  movement,  Gener 
al  Jackson  marched  with  his  whole  force, to  the  defence 
of  this  key  of  the  western  country.  On  the  2d  of  De 
cember,  he  reached  New-Orleans,  and  hastened  his 


THE  AMERICAN  NAVY.  335 

preparations  to  receive  the  enemy.  The  citizens,  as 
well  as  the  slaves,  united  with  the  troops  in  the  arduous 
labors  of  constructing  works  of  defence,  and  the  Gen 
eral  participated  in  all  their  toils. 

On  the  1 2th  of  December,  the  fleet  of  the  enemy 
appeared  in  the  bay  of  St.  Louis,  and  the  American 
flotilla  retired  up  the  river  to  a  more  favorable  position. 
On  the  14th,  the  enemy  commenced  an  attack  upon 
the  flotilla,  and  captured  the  whole. 

General  Jackson  next  ordered  martial  law  to  be  pro 
claimed,  and  the  whole  militia  to  appear  on  duty. 

The  legislature  made  the  necessary  appropriation, 
and  laid  an  embargo  on  all  the  vessels  then  in  port. 

On  the  21st,  General  Carrol  arrived  and  joined  Gen 
eral  Jackson,  with  4000  brave  Tennesseeans,  (partially 
armed,)  and  the  Barratarians  arrived  at  the  same  time, 
to  join  in  the  general  defence. 

General  Jackson  next  ordered  all  the  canals  leading 
to  the  lake,  to  be  closed  ;  but  the  enemy,  about  12,000 
strong,  reached  the  high  banks  of  the  river,  on  the  28th, 
notwithstanding  this  precaution,  where  they  halted  to 
t\ke  refreshn  e  it,  before  they  entered  the  city,  then  full 
in  their  view. 

General  Jackson  assembled  his  whole  force,  abont 
6000  men,  and  marched  down  to  meet  theenemv  ;  but 
did  not  reach  them  before  dark.  After  reconnoitering 
their  position,  he  commenced  an  attack,  which  surpris 
ed  the  British,  and  threw  then  into  disorder;  but  they 
soon  rallied  to  the  combat,  and  a  sharp  rencounter  en 
sued.  A  thick  fog  arose,  that  rendered  it  necessary 
for  General  Jackson  to  withdraw  his  troops,  and  he  re 
tired  about  two  miles  up  the  river,  and  took  his  stand 
at  his  fortified  position.* 

*  His  lines  extended  about  1000  yards  in  front,  constructed  with 
bales  of  cotton,  placed  alnn*  the  bank  of  the  ditch,  and  defended  by 
twelve  pieces  of  cannou.  and  6000  men  ;  supported  also  by  a  battery 
of  fifteen  gems,  on  the  opposite  side  ol  the  river  ;  the  ditch  contained 
five  feet  of  water. 

33 


386  RISE  AND  PROGRESS  OF 

At  the  dawn  of  day,  the  British  army  (12,000)  was 
in  motion,  and  advanced  in  columns  to  the  combat. 
General  Jackson  reserved  his  fire  until  the  enemy  ap 
proached  within  the  reach  of  his  grape,  he  then  opened 
a  destructive  tire  from  his  artillery,  that  mowed  down 
their  ranks.  These  were  successively  closed,  and  the 
enem  ycontinued  to  advance,  until  they  came  within  mus 
ket-shot  ;  the  whole  lines  vomited  forth  one  incessant 
sheet  of  flame  from  the  deadly  rifle,  which  strewed  the 
plain  with  indiscriminate  slaughter,  and  threatened  the 
whole  columns  with  universal  ruin.  The  enemy  broke 
and  fled  in  confusion,  except  a  small  detachment  that 
bravely  advanced  to  the  line  ;  but  these  all  fell,  to  a 
man.  Stung  with  indignation,  the  British  officers  ralli 
ed  their  troops,  and  advanced  again  to  the  charge. 
Again  they  were  overwhelmed  with  the  fire  of  the  dead 
ly  rifle,  and  again  they  fled  ;  leaving  the  field  strewed 
with  the  carnage  of  more  than  2000  wounded,  dead 
and  dying.  The  General  in-chief,  sir  Edward  Pack- 
onham,  together  with  several  other  Generals,  and  an 
unusual  proportion  of  officers,  were  among  the  slain. 
About  500  were  taken  prisoners  ;  total  loss  of  the  ene 
my,  about  3000.  The  loss  of  the  Americans  in  'this  ac 
tion,  did  not  exceed  20  killed  and  wounded,  January 
8th,  1815. 

The  British  who  survived,  retired  on  board  their 
fleet ;  descended  the  river,  and  proceeded  to  attack  fort 
Sowyer,  which  they  carried,  after  a  brave  resistance  ; 
but  the  return  of  peace,  soon  restored  it  again  to  the 
Americans. 

General  Jackson  hud  posted  his  men  ten  deep  in  his  lines,  under 
the  following  order?,  viz. 

1.  To  receive  the  enemy  at  his   approach,   with   a  discharge   of 
grape  shot. 

2.  To  reserve  the  fire  of  the  mupquetry  until  special  orders,  and 
then  for  the  front  rank  only  to  fire,  and  pass  their  rifles  to  the  rear  to 
be  loaded,  the  centre  and  rear  to  pass  their  rifles  to  the  front  in  qu  ick 
succession,  and  the  front  to  keep  up  as  quick  a  fire.     The  rear  ranks 


THE  AMERICAN  NAVY.  337 


AFFAIR  AT  NEW-ORLEANS. 

Copy  of  a  letter   from  Gen.   A.  Jackson,   to   the  Secreta-y  of  War, 
dated 

Cam/),  below  New-Orleans, 

25th  Dec.  1814. 
SIR, 

The  enemy  having,  by  the  capture  of  our  gun-boats, 
obtained  command  of  the  lake,  were  enabled  to  effect 
a  passage  to  the  Mississippi,  at  a  point  on  the  side  of 
New-Orleans,  and  about  9  miles  below  it.  The  mo 
ment  I  received  the  intelligence,  I  hastened  to  attack  him 
in  hisfirsi  position  ;  it  was  brought  on  in  the  night,  and 
resulted  very  honorably  to  our  arms.  The  heavy 
smoke,  occasioned  by  an  excessive  fire,  rendered  it  ne 
cessary  that  I  should  draw  oiFmy  troops,  after  a  severe 
conflict  of  upwards  of  an  hour. 

The  attack  was  made  on  the  night  of  the  23d  ;  since 
then,  both  armies  have  remained  near  the  battle  ground, 
making  preparations  for  something  more  decisive. 

The  enemy's  force  exceeded  ours,  by  double  ;  and 
their  loss  was  proportionably  greater.  The  moment  I 
can  spare  the  time,  I  will  forward  you  a  detailed  ac 
count  ; — in  the  mean  time  I  expect  something,  far  more 
important  will  take  place. — I  hope  to  be  able  to  sustain 
the  honor  of  our  arms,  and  to  secure  the  safety  of  the 
country. 

I  have  the  honor,  &c. 
ANDREW  JACKSON,  Maj.  Gen.  Com?. 

Hon.  JAMES  MUNROE, 

War. 


RISE  AND  PROGRESS  OE> 


DETAILED  ACCOUNT. 

H.  Q.   1th  Military  District, 

Dec.  27th  1814, 
SIR, 

The  loss  of  our  gun-boats,  near  the  pass  of  the  Rig- 
olets,  having  given  ,the  enemy  the  command  of  Lake 
Borgne,  he  was  enabled  to  choose  his  point  of  attack. 
It  became,  therefore,  an  object  of  importance  to  ob 
struct  the  numerous  bayous  and  canals,  leading"  from 
that  lake  to  the  highlands,  on  the  Mississippi. — This 
important  service  was  committed,  in  the  first  instance, 
to  a  detachment  from  the  7th  regiment  ;  afterwards  to 
Col.  De  Laronde,  of  the  Louisiana  militia — and  lastly, 
(o  make  all  sure,  to  Maj.  Gen.  Villere,  commanding 
the  district  between  the  river  and  the  lake  ;  and  who, 
being  a  native  of  the  country,  was  presumed  to  he  best 
acquainted  with  all  those  passes.  Unfortunately,  how 
ever,  a  picquet,  which  the  General  had  established  at 
the  mouth  of  the  Bayou  Bienvenu,  and  which,  notwith 
standing  my  orders,  had  been  left  unobstructed,  was 
completely  surprised;  and  the  enemy  penetrated 
through  a  canal,  leading  to  his  farm,  about  two  leagues 
below  the  city,  and  succeeded  in  cutting  oiF  a  company 
©f  militia  stationed  there.  This  intelligence  was  com 
municated  tome  about  12  o'clrck,  of  the  23d ;  my 
force  at  this  time,  consisted  of  parts  of  the  7th  and  44th 
regiments,  not  exceeding  600,  together;  the  city  mili 
tia,  a  part  of  Gen.  Coffee's  brigade  of  mounted  gun 
men,  and  the  detached  militia,  from  the  western  division 
of  Tennessee,  under  the  command  of  Maj.  Gen.  Car 
rol  ;  these  two  last  corps  were  stationed  four  miles 
above  the  city. 

Apprehending  a  double  attack,  by  way  of  Chief-Men- 
teur,  I  left  Gen.  Carrol's  force,  and  the  militia  of  the 
city,  posted  on  the  Gentilly  road  ;  and  at  5  o'clock,  P. 
M.  marched  to  meet  the  enemy,  whom  I  was  resolved 


THE  AMERICAN   NAVY.  389 

to  attack  in  his  first  position,  with  Major  Hind's  drag 
oons,  Gen.  Coffee's  brigade,  parts  of  the  7th  and  44th 
regiments,  the  uniformed  companies  of  the  militia,  un 
der  the  command  of  Major  Planche — 200  men  of  co 
lor,  chiefly  from  St.  Domingo,  raised  by  Col.  Savery, 
and  acting  under  the  command  of  Major  Dagwin  ;  and 
a  detachment  of  artillery,  under  the  direction  of  Col. 
MlRea,  with  two  6  prs.  under  the  command  of  Lieut. 
Spotts; — not  exceeding,  in  all,  1500.  1  arrived  near 
the  enemy's  encampment  about  7,  and  immediately 
made  my  dispositions  for  the  attack — his  forces  amount 
ing,  at  that  time,  on  land,  to  about  3000,  extended  half 
a  mile  on  the  river  ;  and,  in  the  rear,  nearly  to  the 
wood.  Gen.  Coffee  was  ordered  to  turn  their  right, 
while,  with  the  residua  of  our  force,  I  attacked  his 
strongest  position  on  the  left,  near  the  river.  Commo 
dore  Patterson  having  dropped  down  the  river,  in  the 
schooner  Caroline,  was  directed  to  open  a  fire  on  their 
camp,  which  he  executed  at  about  half  after  7.  This 
being  the  signal  of  attack,  Gen.  Coffee's  men,  with  their 
usual  impetuosity,  rushed  on  the  enemy's  right,  and  en 
tered  their  camp — while  our  right  advanced  with  equal 
ardor.  There  can  be  but  little  doubt,  that  we  should 
have  succeeded  on  that  occasion,  with  our  inferior 
force,  in  destroying  or  capturing  the  enemy,  had  not  a 
thick  fog,  which  arose  about  8  o'clock,  occasioned 
some  confusion  among  the  different  corps — fearing  the 
consequences,  under  this  circumstance,  of  the  further 
prosecution  of  a  night  attack,  with  troops  then  acting 
together  for  the  first  time,  I  contented  myself  with 
lying  on  the  field  that  night;  and,  at  four  in  the  morn 
ing,  assumed  a  stronger  position,  about  2  miles  nearer 
the  city.  At  this  position  I  remain  encamped,  waiting 
the  arrival  of  the  Kentucky  militia,  and  other  reinforce 
ments.  As  the  fate  of  the  city  will  depend  upon  this 
army,  it  must  not  be  incautiously  exposed. 

In  this  affair,  the  whole  corps  under  my  command  de 
serve  the  greatest  credit.     The  best  compliment  I  can 
33* 


390  RISE   AND  PROGRESS  OF 

pay  to  Gen.  Coffee,  and  his  brigade,  is  to  say  they  be 
haved  as  they  have  always  done,  while  under  my  com 
mand  ;  the  7th,  led  by  Major  Pierre,  and  the  44th,  by 
Col.  Ross,  distinguished  themselves  ;  the  battalion  of 
city  militia,  commanded  by  Major  Planch*,  realized  my 
anticipations,  and  behaved  like  veterans  ;  Savary's  vo 
lunteers  manifested  great  bravery  ;  and  the  company 
of  city  riflemen,  having  penetrated  into  the  midst  of  the 
enemy's  camp,  were  surrounded,  and  fought  their  way 
out  with  the  greatest  heroism,  bringing  with  them  a 
number  of  prisoners — the  two  field  pieces  were  well 
served,  by  the  officer  commanding  them. 

All  the  officers  in  the  line  did  their  duty,  and  I  have 
every  reason  to  be  satisfied  with  the  whole  of  my  field 
and  staflf.  Cols.  Butler  and  Piatt,  and  Major  Chotard. 
by  their  intrepidity,  saved  the  artillery  ;  Col.  Haynes 
was  every  where  that  duty  or  danger  called.  I  was  de 
prived  of  the  services  of  one  of  my  aids,  Capt.  Butler, 
whom  I  was  obliged  to  station  in  town  ;  Capt.  Reid,  my 
other  aid,  and  Messrs.  Livingston,  Duplissis,  and  Davi- 
zac,  who  had  volunteered  their  services,  faced  danger 
wherever  it  was  to  be  met,  and  carried  my  orders  with 
the  utmost  promptitude. 

We  made  one  Major,  2  subalterns,  and  63  privates 
prisoners  ;  and  the  enemy's  loss,  in  killed  and  wounded, 

must  have  beeu  at  least .     My  own  loss,  I  have  not, 

as  yet,  been  able  to  ascertain  with  exactness  ;  but  sup 
pose  it  to  amount  to  100,  in  killed,  wounded  and  mis- 
ling.  Among  the  former,  I  have  to  lament  the  loss  of 
Col.  Lauderdale,  of  Gen.  Coffee's  brigade,  who  fell 
while  bravely  fighting.  Cols.  Dyer  and  Gibson,  of  the 
lame  corps,  were  wounded,  and  Major  Kavenaugh  taken 
prisoner. 

I  have  the  honor,  <fec. 

A.  JACKSON. 


THE  AMERICAN  NAVY,  393 


From  the  same  to  the  same — Dec.  29,  1814, 

The  enemy  succeeded,  on  the  27th,  in  blowing  up  the 
Caroline,  (she  being  becalmed,)  by  means  of  hotshot 
from  a  battery,  which  he  had  erected  in  the  night.  Em 
boldened  by  this  event,  he  marched  his  whole  force  the 
next  day  up  the  Levee,  in  the  hope  of  driving  us  from 
OUP  position  ;  and,  with  this  view,  opened  upon  us,  at 
the  distance  of  about  half  a  mile,  his  bombs  and  rockets. 
He  was  repulsed,  however,  with  considerable  loss  —not 
Jess,  it  is  believed,  than  120  killed  ;  ours,  not  exceeding 
6  killed  and  12  wounded.  Si  ice  then,  he  has  not  ven 
tured  to  repeat  his  attempt,  though  lying  close  together 
— frequent  skirmishing  between  our  pickets.  1  lament 
that  1  have  not  the  means  of  carrying  on  more  offensive 
operations.  The  Kentucky  troops  have  not  arrived  ; 
and  my  effective  force,  at  this  point,  does  not  exceed 
3000  ;  theirs  must  be,  at  least,  double — both  prisoners 
and  deserters  agreeing,  in  the  statement,  that  7000  land 
ed  from  their  boats. 

1  have  the  honor,  &c. 

A.  JACKSON. 


BATTLE  OF  NEW-ORLEANS. 

Copy  of  a  letter  from  Gen.  Jackson  to  the  Secretary  of  War,  duted 

Camp,  4  miles  below  JVezy-Or/ea/is,  ) 
Jan.  9,  1815.          $ 

SIR, 

During  the  days  of  the  6th  and  7th,  the  enemy  had 
been  actively  employed  in  making  preparations  for  an 
attack  on  my  lines.  With  infinite  labor  they  had  suc 
ceeded,  on  the  night  of  the  7th,  in  getting  their  boats 
across,  from  the  lake  to  the  river,  by  widening  and  deep- 


392       .  RISE  AN»  PROGRESS  OF 

ening  the  canal,  on  which  they  had  effected  their  disem 
barkation  ;  it  had  not  been  in  my  power  to  impede  these 
operations,  by  a  general  attack  ;  added  to  other  reasons, 
the  nature  of  the  troops  under  my  command,  mostly  mi 
litia,  rendered  it  too  hazardous  to  attempt  extensive  of 
fensive  movements,  in  an  open  country,  against  a  numer 
ous  and  well  disciplined  army. 

Although  my  forces,  as  to  number,  had  been  increased 
by  the  arrival  of  the  Kentucky  division,  my  strength  had 
received  very  little  addition — a  small  portion  only  of 
that  detachment  being  provided  with  arms.  Compel 
led  thus  to  wait  the  attack  of  the  enemy,  1  took  every 
measure  to  repel  it,  when  it  should  be  made,  and  to  de 
feat  the  ob;ect  he  had  in  view.  Gien.  Morgan,  with  the 
Orleans  contingent,  the  Louisiana  militia,  and  a  strong 
detachment  of  the  Kentucky  troops,  occupied  an  in 
trenched  camp  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  river,  protect 
ed  by  strong  batteries  on  the  bank,  erected  and  superin 
tended  by  Commodore  Patterson.  In  my  encampment, 
every  thing  was  ready  for  action  —  when,  early  on  the 
morning  of  the  8th,  the  enemy,  after  throwing  a  heavy 
shower  of  bombs  and  Congreve  rockets,  advanced  their 
columns  on  my  right  and  left,  to  storm  my  entrench 
ments.  I  cannot  speak  sufficiently  in  praise  of  the  firm 
ness  and  deliberation,  with  which  my  whole  line  receiv 
ed  their  approach — more  could  not  have  been  expected 
from  veterans,  inured  to  war.  For  an  hour  the  fire  of 
the  small  arms  was  as  incessant  and  sex  ere  as  can  be 
imagined — (he  artillery  too,  directed  by  officers  who  dis 
played  equal  skill  and  courage,  did  great  execution  : — 
yet  the  columns  of  the  enemy  continued  to  advance, 
with  a  firmness  which  reflects  upon  them  the  greatest 
credit ;  twice  the  column  which  approached  me,  on  my 
left,  was  repulsed  by  the  troops  of  Gen.  Carrol,  those  of 
Gen.  Coffee,  and  a  division  of  Kentucky  militia — and 
twice  they  formed  again,  and  renewed  the  assault.  At 
length,  however,  cut  to  pieces,  they  fled,  in  confusion, 
from  the  field,  leaving  it  covered  with  their  dead  and 


THE  AMERICAN  NAVY-  393 

wounded.  The  loss,  which  the  enemy  sustained  on  this 
occasion,  cannot  he  estimated  at  less  than  1500,  in  kil 
led,  wounded  and  prisoners — upwards  of  300  have  al 
ready  been  delivered  over  for  burial  ;  and  my  men  are 
still  engaged  in  picking  them  up,  within  my  lines,  and 
carrying  them  to  the  point  where  the  enemy  are  to  re 
ceive  them  ;  this  is  in  addition  to  the  dead  and  wounded 
whom  the  enemy  have  been  enabled  to  carry  from  the 
field,  during  and  since  the  action — and  to  those  who 
have  since  died  of  the  wounds  they  have  received. — 
We  have  taken  about  500  prisoners,  upwards  of  300  of 
whom  are  wounded,  and  a  great  part  of  them  mortally. 
My  loss  has  not  exceeded,  and  I  believe  has  not  amount 
ed  to  ten  killed,  and  as  many  wounded.  The  entire 
destruction  of  the  enemy's  army  was  now  inevitable,  had 
it  not  been  for  an  unfortunate  occurrence,  which,  at  this 
moment,  took  place  on  the  other  side  of  the  river  :  —  sim 
ultaneously  with  his  advance  upon  my  lines,  he  had 
thrown  over,  with  his  boats,  a  considerable  force  to  the 
other  side  of  the  river  ;  these,  having  landed,  were  hardy 
enough  to  advance  to  the  assault  of  Gen.  Morgan  ;  and 
what  is  strange  and  difficult  to  account  for,  at  the  very 
moment  when  their  entire  discomfiture  was  looked  for 
with  a  confidence  approaching  to  certainty,  the  Ken 
tucky  reinforcements,  in  whom  so  much  reliance  had 
been  placed,  ingloriously  fled,  drawing  after  them,  by 
their  example,  the  remainder  of  the  forces,  and  thus 
yielding  to  the  enemy  the  most  fortunate  position. — 
The  batteries,  which  had  rendered  me,  for  many  days, 
the  most  important  service,  though  bravely  defended, 
were,  of  course,  now  abandoned  ;  not,  however,  until 
the  guns  had  been  spiked. 

This  unfortunate  rout  had  totally  changed  the  aspect 
of  affairs.  The  enemy  now  occupied  a  position  from 
which  they  might  annoy  us  without  hazard,  and  by  means 
of  which  they  might  have  been  enabled  to  defeat,  in  a 
great  measure,  the  effects  of  our  success  on  this  side  the 
river — it  became,  therefore,  an  object  of  the  first  magni- 


394  R1QE  AND  PROGRESS  OF 

tude,  to  dislodge  him  as  soon  as  possible  ;  for  this  ob 
ject,  all  the  means  in  my  power,  which  I  could  in  any 
safety  use,  were  immediately  put  in  preparation.  Per 
haps,  however,  it  was  owing  somewhat  to  another  cause, 
that  I  succeeded,  even  beyond  my  expectations  : — in  ne- 
gociating  the  terms  of  a  temporary  suspension  of  hostili 
ties,  to  enable  the  enemy  to  bury  their  dead,  and  provide 
for  their  wounded,  I  had  required  certain  propositions 
to  be  acceded  to,  as  a  basis — :among  which,  this  was 
one  : — that,  although  hostilities  should  cease  on  this  side 
the  river,  until  1 2  o'clock  of  this  day,  yet  it  was  not  to 
be  understood  that  they  should  cease  on  the  other  side  ; 
but,  that  no  reinforcements  should  be  sent  across,  by 
*i*/*er  army,  until  the  expiration  of  that  day.  His  ex 
cellency,  Major  General  Lambert,  begged  time  to  con 
sider  of  those  propositions,  until  10  o'clock  to-day  ;  and, 
in  the  mean  time,  re-crossed  his  troops.  I  need  not  tell 
you  with  how  much  eagerness  I  immediately  regained 
possession  of  the  position  he  had  thus  hastily  quitted. 

The  enemy,  having  concentrated  his  forces,  may  agaim 
attempt  to  drive  me  from  my  position,  by  storm  :  when 
ever  he  does,  I  have  no  doubt  my  men  will  act  with 
their  usual  firmness,  and  sustain  a  character,  now  be 
come  dear  to  them. 

I  have  the  honor,  &c. 

A.  JACKSON, 
Maj.  Gen.  Comg. 

Hon.  Sec.  of  War. 


//.  Q.  left  bank  of  Mississippi,  5  miles  below 
New-Orleans,  Jan.  10,  1815. 

I  have  the  honor  to  make  the  following  report  of  the 
killed,  wounded  and  prisoners,  taken  in  the  battle  at 
Laroud's  plantation,  on  the  left  bank  of  the  Mississippi, 
on  the  night  of  the  23d  December,  1814,  sevan  miles 
below  New-Orleans  ; 


THE  AMERICAN  NAVY.  395 

Killed—  left  on  the  field  of  battle,  100.  Wounded— 
do  _  280.  Prisoners  taken  —  1  Major,  2  Lieutenants,  1 
Midshipman,  66  non-commissioned  officers  and  privates 
—  making  a  grand  total  of  400. 

I  have  the  honor,  &c. 

A.  P.  HAYNE,  Ins.  Gen. 
Maj.  Gen.  ANDREW  JACKSON. 


FURTHER  PARTICULARS. 

Gopy  of  a  letter  from  General  Jackson,  to  the  Secretary  of  War. 

Camp,  4  miles  bdow  Orleans, 

Jan.   13,  1815. 
SIR, 

At  such  a  crisis,  I  conceive  it  my  duty  to  keep  you 
constantly  advised  of  my  situation. 

On  the  10th  inst.  I  forwarded  you  an  account  of  the 
bold  attempt  made  by  the  enemy,  on  the  morning  of 
the  8th,  to  take  possession  of  my  works  by  storm,  and 
of  the  severe  repulse  which  he  met  with.  That  report, 
having  been  sent  by  the  mail  which  crosses  the  lake, 
may  possibly  have  miscarried  —  for  which  reason,  I 
think  it  (he  more  necessary,  briefly,  to  repeat  the  sub 
stance  of  it. 

Early  on  the  morning  of  the  8th,  the  enemy  having 
been  actively  employed  the  two  preceding  days  in  ma 
king  preparations  for  a  storm,  advanced  in  two  strong 
columns,  on  my  right  and  left  ;  they  were  received, 
however,  with  a  firmness,  which,  it  seems,  they  little 
expected,  and  which  defeated  all  their  hopes.  My  men, 
undisturbed  by  their  approach,  which  indeed  they  had 
long  anxiously  wished  for,  opened  upon  them  a  lire,  so 
deliberate  and  certain,  as  rendered  their  scaling-ladders 
and  fascines,  as  well  as  their  more  direct  implements  of 
warfare  perfectly  useless.  For  upwards  of  an  hour, 
it  was  continued  with  a  briskness  of  which  there  have 


396  RISE  AND  PROGRESS  OF 

been  but  few  instances,  perhaps,«-in  any  country.  In 
justice  to  the  enemy,  it  must  be  sai3,  they,  withstood  it  as 
long  as.  couid  have  been  expected  from  the  most  deter 
mined  bravery.  At  length,  however,  when  all  prospect 
of  success  became  hopeless,  they  fled,  in  confusion,  from 
the  field,  leaving  it  covered,  with  their  dead  and  wound 
ed — their  loss  was  immense  :  I  had,  at  first,  computed 
it  at  1500;  but  it  is  since  ascertained  to  have  been 
much  greater.  Upon  information  which  is  believed  to 
be  correct.  Col.  Haynes,  the  Inspector-General,  reports 
it  to  be,  in  the  total,  2,600 — his  report  1  inclose  you. 
My  loss  was  inconsiderable,  being  only  7  killed,  and  6 
wounded.  Such  a  disproportion  in  loss,  when  we  con 
sider  the  number  and  kind  of  troops  engaged,  must,  I 
know,  excite  astonishment,  and  may  not,  every  where, 
be  credited  ;  yet,  I  am  perfectly  satisfied  that  the  ac 
count  is  not  exaggerated  on  the  one  part,  nor  underrated 
on  the  other. 

The  enemy  having  hastily  quitted  a  post  which  they 
had  gained  possession  of,  on  the  other  side  of  the  river, 
and  we  having  immediately  returned  to  it,  both  armies, 
at  present,  occupy  their  former  positions. 

Whether,  after  the  severe  losses  he  has  sustained,  he 
is  preparing  to  return  to  his  shipping,  or  to  make  still 
mightier  efforts  to  attain  his  first  object,  I  do  not  pretend 
to  determine.  It  becomes  me  to  act  as  though  the  lat 
ter  were  his  intention.  One  thing,  however,  seems 
certain  :  that,  if  he  still  calculates  on  effecting  what  he 
has  hitherto  been  unable  to  accomplish,  he  must  expect 
considerable  reinforcements — as  the  force  with  which 
he  landed  must,  undoubtedly,  be  diminished,  by  at  least 
3000.  Besides  the  loss  which  he  sustained  on'  the  23d 
nit.  which  is  estimated  at  400,  he  cannot  have  suffered 
less,  between  that  period  and  the  morning  of  the  3th 
irst  than  300 — having,  within  that  t:?ne  been  repulsed 
in  two  general  attemps  to  drive  vis  from  our  position, 
and  there  having  been  continual  cannonading  and  skir- 


THE  AMERICAN  NAVY.  39? 

wishing  during  the  whole  of  it.     Yet,  he  is  still  able  to 
show  a  very  formidable  force. 

There  is  little  doubt  that  the  commanding  General,  Sir 
Edward  Pakenham,  was  killed  in  the  action  of  the  8th, 
and  that  Majors  Gen.  Keane  and  Gibbs  were  badly 
wounded.  Whenever  a  more  leisure  moment  shall  oc 
cur,  I  will  take  the  liberty  to  make  out,  and  forward  you 
a  more  circumstantial  account  of  the  several  actions, 
and  particularly  that  of  the  8th  ;  in  doing  which,  my 
chief  motive  will  be,  to  render  justice  to  those  brave 
men  I  have  the  honor  to  command,  and  who  have  so  re 
markably  dis(«.iguished  themselves. 
I  have  the  honor,  &c. 

ANDREW  JACKSON. 

Report  of  the  killed,  wounded,  and  prisoners  taken, 
at  the  battle  on  the  8ih  of  January,  1815.-— Killed,  700 
Wounded,  1400 — Prisoners  taken,  1  Major,  4  Captains, 
1 1  Lieutenants,  1  Ensign,  483  non-commissioned  offi 
cers  and  privates — making  a  grand  total  of  2,600. 

A.  P.  HAYNE,  Insp.  Gen. 

Maj.  Gen.  A.  JACKSON. 


GUN-BOATS  TAKEN  BY  THE  ENEMY. 

Copy  of  a  letter  Iroai  Commodore  Pntterson  to  the  Secretary  of  the 
Navy,  dated 

New-Orleans,  March i  \lth  1815. 
SIR, 

Enclosed  T  have  the  honor  to  transmit  for  your  infor 
mation  a  copy  of  a  letter  from  Lieu.t  Thomas  Ap. 
Catesby  Jones,  giving  a  drtaiit-d  acrounl  of"  the  action 
between  the  gun  vessels  under  his  command  nnd  a  flo 
tilla  of  the  enemy's  launches  arid  barges,  on  the  14th 
December,  1814,  which  after  a  most  gallant  resistance, 
terminated  as  stated  in  m>  letter  oi  the  17th  December 
in  the  capture  oi  our  squadron.  The  courage  and  skill 
34 


398  RISE  AND  PROGRESS  OF 

which  was  displayed  in  the  defence  of  the  gun  vessels 
and  tender,  for  such  a  length  of  time,  against  such  an 
overwhelming  force  as  they  had  to  contend  with,  re 
flects  additional  splendor  on  our  naval  glory,  and  will,  I 
trust,  diminish  the  regret  occasioned  hy  their  loss. 
I  have,  &c. 

DANIEL  T.  PATTERSON. 
Hon.  B.  W.  CROWN1NSHIELD, 

Sec'y  of  the  Navy. 


CHAPTER  XXXVII. 

General  Movements    towards  Peace. 

Messrs.  Gallatin  and  Bayard,  had  been  apppointed 
commissioners,  and  sent  out  to  Petersburg,  (Russia)  in 
April,  to  meet  such  commissioners  as  the  Bri'ish  court 
might  send,  and  in  union  with  Mr.  Adams,  then  minis 
ter  resident  of  the  U.  States,  at  Petersburg,  enter  upon 
negociations  for  peace,  under  the  mediation  of  the  em 
peror  Alexander,  as  has  been  noticed. 

Great  Britain  declined  this  overture  ;  but  appointed 
Lord  Gambier,  Henry  Golbourn  and  William  Adams,  to 
meet  the  American  commissioners  at  Gottenburg. 

The  President  of  the  United  States  appointed  J. 
Russell  and  H.  Clay,  to  unite  with  the  American  com 
missioners  named  in  April,  and  the  city  of  Ghent  was 
agreed  upon  as  the  place  of  negociation,  January,  1814. 
Iri  August,  the  whole  of  the  above  named  commission 
ers  assembled  at  Ghent,  and  entered  upon  the  business 
of  their  appointment. 

On  the  1 1  th  of  February,  1815,  news  arrived  in  New- 
York,  that  peace  had  been  concluded  by  the  commis 
sioners  at  Ghent,  on  the  iJ4th  of  December.  On  the 
17th  of  February  the  treaty  was  ratified  by  the  senate 
and  received  the  signature  of  the  President.  All  parties 
rejoiced  at  the  event. 


THE  AMERICAN  NAVY. 


399 


The  grievances  complained  of  by  the  American  gov 
ernment,  as  causes  of  the  war,  were  not  noticed  in  the 
treaty,  but  an  express  article  provided,  that  the  com 
mercial  differences  of  the  two  nations  should  be  settled 
by  commissioners,  to  be  specially  appointed  for  that 
purpose.  In  the  summer  of  1816,  commissioners  met 
accordingly,  at  London,  and  on  the  3d  day  ot  July, 
signed  a  commercial  treaty,  between  the  two  nations, 
founded  upon  the  principles  of  mutual  and  reciproc 
interest,  and  to  continue  for  the  term  of  four  years. 

Thus  ended  this  war  with  Britain,  and  the  Amenc 
aavy  bore  away  the  palm. 


CHAPTER  XXXVIII. 

Comparative  view  of  the  British  and  American  Navies. 

At  the  commencement  of  the  late  British  war  in 
1812,  and  through  the  period  of  that  war,  it  was  well 
understood  that  the  naval  force  of  Great  Britain 
amounted  to  the  number  of  from  750  to  1000  sail  of  all 
classes,  and  that  with  this  commanding  force,  she  rode 
the  undisputed  mistress  of  the  seas.  That  the  Amen- 
ican  force  when  the  war  commenced  in  1812,  consisted 
of  the  following  vessels  only. — viz. 

Guns.  Guns. 

John  Adams — 24 
44    Louisiana 
Hornet 
Wasp 

36    Brig  Adams  J 
Oneida  ) 

Syren  >  16 

Argus  > 


United  States 

Constitution 

President 

Constellation 

Congress 

Chesapeake 

Essex 

Adams 


5 24 

V, 


&uns. 

Enterprize^ 
R'tlesnake  I  u 


Nautilus 
Vixen 
Viper 
Vixen 


/ 


32 


APPENDIX. 

In  the  introductory  remarks,  the  author  attempted  to 
sketch  the  rise  and  progress  of  American  commerce, 
from  its  origin,  down  to  the  revolution  in  1775,  to  shew 
the  progressive  industry  and  enterprise  of  the  Ameri 
can  character,  as  well  as  the  necessity  of  a  naval  force 
for  the  protection  of  their  expanding  commerce.  To 
give  a  more  forcible  impression  to  that  important  sub 
ject,  the  author  has  selected  the  following  commercial 
statements  from  Pitkin's  Statistics  pages  51 — 58  inclu 
sive,  which  will  afford  the  reader  a  most  interesting 
view  of  the  progressive  and  expanded  character  of  the 
commercial  enterprise  of  the  American  people. 

The  reader  will  here  observe,  that  in  a  period  of  two 
centuries,  that  commerce  which  commenced  in  the  small 
furs  of  the  forest,  had  in  1816  expanded  to  an  amount 
of  more  than  eighty  one  million  of  dollars  annually. 
An  instance  of  commercial  industry  and  enterprise  un 
precedented  in  the  history  of  nations. 


APPENDIX. 
TABLE  No.  I. 


401 


•A-summ  ary  statement  of  the  value  of  the  exports  of  the  several  Slate* 
and  Terr  Hones,  annually,  from  the  1st  of  October,  1790,  to  the  30//i 
of  September,  1816. 


O 
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402  APPENDIX. 

TABLE  No.    I.— Continued 


i-*  us  oo  —  o  —  c:  i>  cp  cri  co  —  r^coo? 
o  •'  i  i--  i>  — <  cc  ~»  o  05  co  o:  o  "X  i— i  i> 

O  t~  -•?  to  -*  <?l  TO  — '  CO  O  i— i  O  CO  CO  LO 

•0-Trf  uf  co -r"*'  -""  t~  -"  c*  o  x  i-T  t-T 

—  ^^W'-QO^gcs^ocj^ia^ 


b.  <M 

i->«  co 


IO    . :  '•£>  co  —  t  -  i— <  O  CO  •><  Tf  "C  T  CO  ^O  '    "3*  O>  <N 

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GOOD  rr  CO 

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^-5§: 


APPENDIX. 
TABLE  No.  I.—  Continued. 


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c*  rt  —  '  cryc^o  eo    ?  c^  3?  cf  wo  bo  o  co  QI  o 

(rt  —  ir:0-*'MOi(M'TO'^^Oc;iCO  «  © 

"^  o  rM-  ot  n<  os  -  ^  -  .  od  ^  oj  oj  :  oo 

co  ^   r^   o   cb  «  V   ic  of  1-1' 


403 


CO          CO         i—" 

GO 


CO  4>»  00  (75   '-O  CO  *O         CO          !•* 

-4"  >-o  ;p  rC  ^jTrf          co       o       — 


uf  w?       rf"       (N 


-<1«        O  CO 


t>  r-  1,0    !  O 

"*  O  O  iO 

05   t-   10      I  r-_ 

Si  '  ^ 

G7    I  GO 

'  OB* 


I  GO 

co 

I  of 

" 


lO 


cor-TT.rjojTccoO 

of  *»r  «  55  M  «  So  S  -^05.  .-^M.  <r>  t-  i- 

I  »o"  co  oT  —  10  5^  oo"  TjT  c?  o"  co'  to  cs  co  gvf 

^00 


CO        01.  00 

G<»        —  t^ 

<0         C«  GO        CO 

G^  CO    |  UO 


CO         tA    I   T- i 

«  sis 


Sji 


1     £ 

« 


•     1  •  -j         •     t 

r      „-      1    1.1  •       .3*44 
*g8^§fcfrgjsfc'i|5Bt:-Soaa.2£iri 

«  5   *  .c   o   «  <u  §  «   *  .2  .fc  o   §  o   «  §  13^-S-S  "2 
>tf>rSO 


404 


APPENDIX. 
TABLE  No.  L— Continued. 


. 
co  co  t~ 


.-  >-r  qc  »-«  ,o  t-  , 


0  G*  CO  G« 

a>  GO  Tf  LE> 

Gy  G^  O5  ^ 

i>  06"  cT  i  o" 


I  r-       os  s*  co  o  TT  ^  g 


CO         t- 

t>.         CO 

CO 


I  S 


'O  ^t  O  l^  '»  ""5  CO  o*  CO  -^  "-O 
O  O  CO  —  '*  CO  CT3  G^  <-O  CO  O) 

rj  rt  G^  —  -*  =2  "tf  c-  GO  T  m 


8  hS 

3  S- 
s  s 


KCOO          i^ 


I   GO  •rj*   LC  ~J*  ^   »O  T-I  1--  G^  t—   r-  I-   CO  O5 

1  co  co  co  <N  'O  —  t>  r-  TO  co  1.0  c;  »>  t- 

-      :.-  ^  -v  ^  co  e<*  co  ^  cp  CD  G^  <&  as  G-J 


55  !  CC  t-  r.O  t-  CO  CO    CO  CC  GO  ^J  S^  C5  CO  CO 
J2»  J  CO -xfl  6*^03  O  ©J    '-O    CO  O  CC  f-  CO  LO 

'  CN    cT   CO  0<  rf   rf  si 


I 

I  5 


APPENDIX. 
TABLE  No.  II. 


«  00*    4~       S4~       34*     3J-T 


- 

o  ri  co  co  o  ^  o 

O          t-   CM   10  i-H   -^ 


53CD?O^C*5sOii5  Cft  7Q  — '  "O  LO 
TP  33  .JO  —  O  r^H    O   C5  .0  CQ  .TO  t£> 


=  0^34^34         -        CO 
r$  ?Jj  J>  — t  J>_  ^  CO         ^ 


to  co  o  co  TP  co  i-  —  o  t~  cj  rf  rr  co   °   T? 
/cb  co  i^c^vq.oo,i>^Hi~VCCr.o»-o,1>^'<l  •  °i  •  "1 


^    -.   ^x  -^  v-x  ^   o-  —  CT3  CM  TO  n  CO  to         34         O 

to  as  o  o.      t-;  —  co^o. cq.t-  i>.^*          .  CN    .co. 

o"-4oOCOGO"-^'rp'cO~  34 


I 

'co- 

— 
CO      . 


co 

co  34  55 
- 


T'00<^-OO^C30'*034  C034 

^  00  O  QO  1>  O  CO  00  O>  'O  r-(  G4     .      .  O  -H 

r^  c-T        rf        GO  ~  UO         10  in     *      * 


GO  Oi  C"5  ^*  00  CO  ••*  '"'  t^~  Is*  O^ 

"*COo}COGO(No-|34a)O  — 
^         CO  CO  O*  CO         O  —  J>  Tf   eft 


405 


406 


APPENDIX. 
TABLE  No.  II.— Continued. 


liiiill||||I|||||ll ' S1 

CO  1  ^  "~!  ~"  ^  '."         ^  ^  ^  ^  '"*  _ 

'O         TP 
CO 

i^  3^  t-  co  co  urj      cc  t- 

LOCO'O^^T^CO          COS^Lf 

ir 

"-^\          i-^«  L™5  CO   1^.                  "^   '-Q  (:-^   t-^   -i?   — "   ^J3  WJ  O5          G^ 

~  S^  5V  vT  _i  *./*  ^C  "^  ~*  t- —M  ^  ^ 

.  05_t^ 

CO          00          f-  -^  ^   35 

o  ^r  o  "-1    •    • 

f^  CO 

05  O.     .      .      .  O         Q 
,  O   ~i  C5  O  O  CO  U5   *•  C5   -'  C5  ^J  ^  O          ^Q  W  W          O 

co  rr  ^  co^  co^  uo  -,^  rr.  L-  o^  ^  ^t  H 

^»  -^    (;^     *A    ^-^    -^^    -"5  CO    O^    LO    ^    ^    ^    ^    ^  ^-?  ^ 

iiwiifiii^wiir?^^ w 

CO  CO          *-O          '^  ^^  "^^  ^    of  ^  ^ 


S 

-i  '  Is 


^>Sia5tJ 


APPENDIX. 
TABLE  No.  III. 


407 


^^ 
§j£ 


£    s 


l|= 

so-ts 


111 

>v^»    5S  ^r 

«    ""    §• 
*"^    ^  Ty^i 


|COr^tT-iG^'—  GO<-Oi— i^-OG^O         CO 
-  '<->         &<         CO         O         J5         GO 


rr  t^  10 

»     <» 


Si—  J>  l>  TJi  Tf  ^  <$t  CO  CC  CJ   —  S^  Oi  CO 
,  CO^  CO_  ^O_  CO_  CO  — >  i— i  lOG^Ot^G^'—O 


co  g  |e  «  oTi-  oT  -f  oT  ^r  - 

CO  O  t~    ^  C75   -^          C  £^  ri  to  (^ 


SO  'O  CD  O  O  r:  O  3^»  CO  I-  1O  iT,  35  O)  «> 
i-1  O  O  t-  O5  CO  r-  T-  10  CO  CD  X  CO  t-  t- 

CO 


GO 


t-  to  CO  "O  CC  >O 

osoiiocOG^co 

CO  irx.  GV  C5  S-(  -- 


U5_  CO          10          CO 

cT          co"     co" 


LO  O5  CO  CO  G^  CO  iO 

""^  2?  S  ^  "^  "71  ^ 

T-   -^  O5  O>  W     O  t^ 


*"*   I  "— 

CO     I    »O 

of     & 


, 


iO- 

r- 


Is 


gn 

«*  co~ 


3 

i  GO 


YO  O  CO  CO   TO  O          CO  CO  Or*  CO   —  CO   ^O  CO  CO 

CO  CO  *"*   r-l          iO  CO  GO      *  »1 

GO  GO         GO         i-T 


Is 


IM    I  3         jf^. 

1  '  0- 


2  a       .t;   o  ^3 


o 


408  APPENDIX. 

TABLE  No.  III.— Continued. 


•  •I       1 1^, 


iO     I 
&1 


SH*«l  ' 


^co    •    •     ' 


,s,  ,  .-ft.  ,  ."   § 


s| 


151  I  I   111 ....  1 1 1 

-s3-'    &    !§       "'5 1  .  .  .  ,«  || 

"     5  i  « 


w^o^      ^      05      aj  c-. »-       ^o      £?      ^ 

^;^ii  i"  s'  IBs  «  CT'  .s 


« 


o»      •—      — < 


-   I 

S  i 


tec  o  co  cc  co 
CSi  OJ  O  CO  iH 
C-  00  Lf5  T-I  iO 


s^  «q  iq,     <?| 


it 


CO  C^ 
IO  »O 
OO  t~- 


r+     '    O  «P  -• 


|O< 
^ 

it 


, 


••-*  I 


* 


L£  o  J  "7  -g  ,=  t  --   *  i  -  *X  C  cs  «  .2-  » 


PREFACE. 

In  giving  a  sketch  of  the  history  of  the  Greek  Revo- 
lution,  the  author  has  endeavored  to  sketch  an  introduc 
tory  view  of  the  rise  and  progress  of  the  Turkish  em 
pire,  from  its  origin  down  to  the  commencement  of  the 
Greek  Revolution  ;  in  order  to  give  the  reader  a  fu 
view  of  this  most  interesting  and  important  subject. 
This  will  comprise  the  period  of  the  first  chapter. 

The  author  has  arranged  the  work  into  annual  peri 
od',  and  introduced  each  chapter  with  a  brief  summary 
of  the  events  of  that  year,  in  order  to  open  the  subjects 
more  clearly  to  the  reader.  This  summary  is  support 
ed  bv  extracts  from  the  most  authentic  sources,  relating 
the  several  occurrences  and  events  of  the  revolution,  and 
the  order  oftimein  which  they  took  place. 

The  author  has  chosen  this  mode,  because  the  seve 
ral  accounts  are  often  so  vague,  and  contradictory,  that 
could  not  feel  himself  justified  in  becoming  responsible 
for  their  correctness,  any  further  than  by  a  general  sum 


mary 


But  even  this  view  of  the  subject,  it  is  presumed,  will 
go  very  far  to  gratify  that  lively  interest  and  feeling,  tor 
the  success  of  the  Greeks,  which  so  strongly  impresses 
the  public  mind  throughout  the  United  States. 

In  addition  to  this,  the  author  has  endeavored  to 
throw  all  possible  light  upon  the  subject,  by  introducing 
into  the  work  sundry  letters  from  several  distinguished 
men,  resident  in  Greece,  which  describe  minutely  and 
feelingly  the  situation  and  sufferings  of  that  oppressed, 
and  wretched  people. 


SKETCH  OF  THE 

GREEK  REVOLUTION 


We  have  long  been  anxious  to  make  some  observa 
tions  on  Greece.  The  national  interest  felt  in  the  fates 
of  the  country,  the  deep  political  questions  involved  in 
the  contest,  and  the  formidable  probability  that  the  in 
surrectionary  war  may  light  a  flame  that  will  spread 
through  Europe,  urged  it  upon  us.  But  there  was  a 
general  deficiency  of  facts ;  the  friends  and  enemies  of 
the  cause  had  equally  given  themselves  up  to  romance, 
audit  was  essential  to  truth  to  wait  until  those  mutual 
misrepresentations  had  been,  in  some  measure,  cleared 
away.  This  has  been  lately  accomplished  ;  some  trav 
ellers,  led  only  by  a  rational  and  intelligent  curiosity, 
have  within  a  short  period  visited  Greece.  Their 
works  are  now  before  the  public,  and  from  those 
sources,  and  such  others  as  our  personal  knowledge 
might  supply,  a  general  view  of  the  question  may  be 
formed  free  from  romance,  partiality  or  fiction. 

We  disclaim  all  enthusiasm.  Yet  we  do  not  hesitate 
to  pronounce  the  cause  of  Greece  the  cause  of  human 
nature.  We  allow  the  greater  part  of  the  imputations 
on  the  Greek  character — that  it  is  rash,  given  to  quarrel, 
suspicious,  inconstant,  and  careless  of  blood.  But  the 


GREEK  RE  VOLUTION.  41 1 

Greek  has  not  had  his  trial.  He  has  been  for  almost 
five  hundred  years,  a  broken  man.  His  place  of  birth 
has  been  only  a  larger  prison  ;  his  education  the  bitter 
ness  of  heart,  the  subterfuge,  the  sullen  treachery,  and 
the  furious  revenge  of  the  slave.  What  estimate  can 
we  form  of  the  strength  and  stature  of  freedom  from  this 
decript  and  barbarous  servitude  ?  Even  the  vices  of  the 
character  may  be  an  indication  of  the  vigor  of  its  capa 
bilities.  The  perversion  of  the  best  things  is  the  worst. 
The  fiery  element  that,  in  its  rage,  lays  waste  the  land, 
is  the  great  and  exhaustless  instrument  of  comfort  and 
abundance.  But  the  question  may  be  decided  at  once 
we  know  what  the  Greeks  have  been  !  If  they  are  now 
barbarians,  we  must  remember  that  they  were  once  the 
lights  of  the  world. 

But  the  Turk  is  a  barbarian.  All  his  vices  are  thor 
oughly  and  incurably  barbarian.  He  is  habitually  ty 
rannical,  passionate  for  plunder  ,anda  lover  of  blood, — 
his  tastes  are  barbarian,  extravagant  splendour,  gross 
indulgence,  savage  indolence  of  mind  and  body  ;  he  en 
joys  none  of  the  resources  of  civilization  ;  he  has  no 
national  literature  ;  he  cultivates  no  language;  he  pro 
duces  no  picture,  no  statue,  no  music.  Greeks  are  his 
linguists  and  the  navigators  of  his  ships;  foreigners  dis 
cipline  his  army,  and  carry  on  his  diplomacy.  He  re 
sists  the  civilization  of  Europe  with  utter  scorn,  and 
even  when  forced  upon  him  by  circumstances,  he  resists 
it  till  its  nature  is  changed,  and  he  is  again  the  Turk 
of  Mahomet  the  Second  ;  he  answers  religious  convic 
tion  by  the  dagger.  He  sits  among  the  nations  with  no 
other  instinct  than  that  of  the  tiger,  to  seek  out  his  prey, 
and  having  found  it,  to  gorge  and  sleep. 

Yet  no  nation  on  earth  has  had  such  advantage  for 
the  most  consummate  civilization.  It  has  been  seated  in 
the  central  region  of  the  temperate  zone  ;  the  master  of 
its  central  sea  on  all  its  borders  from  Syria  to  Italy  on 
the  one  side,  and  to  Mauritana  on  the  other.  In  the 
richest,  most  magnificent  and  inspiring  realm  that  ever 


4J2  SKETCH  OF  TliE 

was  under  the  dominion  of  man,  the  hand  filled  witfo 
those  splendid  remembrances  which  have  been  the  seed 
of  knowledge  and  highrnindedness  to  the  ends  of  the 
earth  ;  its  plains  and  mountains  a  succession  of  trophies 
to  the  civil  or  military  glory  of  the  most  illustrious  spir 
its  of  mankind.  Of  all  this  superb  dominion,  the  Turk 
has  been  the  lord  for  almost  five  centuries.  Yet  he  is 
a  barbarian  still,  with  all  the  ferocity  of  the  old  dweller 
of  the  Imaus,  even  his  hospitality  and  bravery  are  but 
the  virtues  of  barbarism  ;  and  wild,  fierce,  and  bloody 
he  will  remain,  until  the  purpose  of  desolation,  for 
which  he  was  brought  from  his  desert  shall  be  done. 

The  greatest  and  the  last  of  all  the  prophecies  had  de 
clared  that  the  light  of  the  early  Church  should  be  ex 
tinguished,  and  pure  Christianity  removed  to  lands  re 
mote  from  its  original  throne.  The  noblest  form  that 
Christianity  has  yet  been  permitted  to  assume,  was  in 
its  early  state  on  the  shores  of  the  Mediterranean.  The 
whole  of  Asia  Minor,  then  the  most  flourishing,  opulent, 
and  peaceful  portion  of  the  Roman  empire,  was  filled 
with  Christian  temples.  The  seven  great  cities  to 
which  the  Apocalypse  is  directed  were  the  heads  of 
this  hallowed  commonwealth,  and  the  foundation  laid 
by  the  Apostles  was  finished  by  the  work  of  the  hands 
and  blood  of  a  long  succession  of  pure  and  vigorous  fol 
lowers  in  the  same  services  and  the  same  glory.  But 
it  had  been  foretold  that  this  Church  would  rapidly  de 
generate  ;  that  the  inluence  of  old  corruptions  should 
deface  its  purity  ;  that  the  opinions  of  an  extravagant 
and  mystic  philosophy  should  be  mingled  with  the  in 
spired  doctrine  ;  and  that,  after  a  long  trial  of  the  pa 
tience  of  Heaven,  after  casual  purification  by  the  bitter 
punishments  of  the  Roman  sword,  and  casual  revivals  of 
religion,  they  should  be  finally  covered  by  ignorance 
and  superstition  impenetrable.  There  has  been  no 
prophecy  more  amply  fulfilled.  The  Turks  are  now 
masters  of  every  spot  to  which  the  writings  of  the  Apos-> 
ties  were  addressed,  except  Rome. 


GREEK   REVOLUTION.  413 

,  It  mast  be  too  deep  for  human  knowledge  to  trace 
the  detail  of  Providence.  But  if  it  had  been  the  will  of 
Heaven  to  crush  the  Church  of  Asia,  the  Turks  were, 
of  all  nations,  the  instruments  most  furnished  for  its 
hopeless  oppresion.  If  Asia  Minor  had  been  overrun 
by  the  Barbarians  of  the  North,  it  might  have  retained 
or  recovered  both  its  civilization  and  its  religion,  for 
those  barbarians  have  been  susceptible  of  both  in 
Europe.  If  it  had  been  seized  by  Persia,  it  would  have 
been  in  the  hands  of  a  people  holding  a  high  rank  in 
Eastern  civilization,  not  averse  to  European  improve 
ment,  not  furiously  bigoted  to  their  own  blind  supersti 
tion.  But  a  tribe  of  robbers  was  summoned  from  the 
mountains,  where  they  had  been  kept  like  a  frozen  tor 
rent  for  ages,  till  the  moment  when  its  whole  loosened 
might  was  to  rush  down  upon  the  plain.  They  had  no 
letters,  no  legislation,  no  knowledge  ;  they  were  utterly 
a  new  race,  separated  from  all  the  access  by  which  civ 
ilization  might  approach,  with  no  means  of  go\ernment 
but  the  sabre,  no  law  but  the  Koran,  and  no  purpose 
but  conquest,  animal  indulgence,  arid  merciless  tyran 
ny  :  they  were  sent  forth  to  take  possession  of  the  land, 
and  fearfully  they  executed  their  commission. 

But  in  all  those  visitations  of  Providence  which  we 
are  permitted  to  follow,  the  apparent  tardiness  of  the 
punish.nent  is  scarcely  less  remarkable  than  the  com 
pleteness,  when  all  is  done.  The  coming  of  the  Turks 
was  before  the  eyes  of  the  Church  of  Asia  for  the  aston 
ishing  period  of  almost  a  thousand  years.  From  their 
first  burst  they  were  an  object  of  acknowledged  terror  ; 
the  thunder  cloud  fixed  every  eye,  from  the  moment  of 
its  gathering  on  the  great  central  chain  of  the  Asiatic 
hills  ;  in  its  first  advances  it  had  nearly  broke  over  the 
empire,  but  it  was  strangely  turned  away,  and  thus  con 
tinued  the  storm,  alternately  approaching  and  retiring, 
till  it  was  finally  rolled  upon  Constantinople.  Ill  the 
year  545,  the  Turks  first  issued  from  the  Imaus.  In 
half  a  century,  they  had  Conquered  the  huge  Table  land 


414  SKETCH  OF  THE 

of  the  North,  and  touched  with  their  standards  at  once 
the  Roman  borders,  the  Persian,  and  the  Chinese.— 
Warring  at  the  head  of  the  Tartar  tribes,   their  chief 
force  was  cavalry,  and  their  cavalry  was  "  computed  by 
millions."       They  then   paused.      But  other   leaders 
roused  them  again  and  in  844  they  passed  the   head  of 
the  Caspian,   and  fixed  a  government  in  the  Greater 
Armenia.     In    1038,  they  again  receded  turned  to  the 
south,  and  overran  the  Persian  empire, 

The  latter  princes  of  Constantinople  had  sometimes 
redeemed  the  character  of  the  throne  ;  and  instances  of 
valor,  conduct  and  virtue,  are  to  be  found  even  among 
chieftains  bred  up  in  the  effeminacy  of  the  most  luxu 
rious  court  of  the  world.  The  Saracens  had  been  re 
pelled,  after  a  long  succession  of  tremendous  battles, 
and  the  Roman  territory  had  been  extended  hy  Nice- 
phorus,  and  his  successor  Basil,  to  the  eastern  bounda 
ries  of  Armenia.  The  empire  reposed  fora  while  under 
the  banners  of  this  brave  and  unfortunate  chieftain, 
when  at  once  it  was  startled  by  an  inundation  of  war. 
The  Turkish  cavalry  had  overspread  the  whole  frontier, 
from  Taurus  to  Arzoum,  a  line  of  six  hundred  miles. — 
Their  progress  was  strewed  with  massacre,  and  this  in 
vasion  cost  of  the  subjects  of  the  Greek  emperor  a  hun 
dred  and  thirty  thousand  lives  ;  but  while  Constanti 
nople  was  already  closing  its  gates,  the  invasion  sank 
away  into  the  desert,  and  the  lesson  was  forgotten. — 
But  it  was  rapidly  renewed  ;in  1062,  the  u  Grand  Sul 
tan"  of  the  Turks,  Arparzlan,  rushed  upon  Caesarea  at 
the  head  of  an  innumerable  army.  He  swept  all  before 
him  for  some  years,  but  fortune  at  length  gave  a  mo 
ment's  respite  to  the  Greeks,  and  in  1068  the  Sultan 
was  forced  to  cross  the  Euphrates.  He  returned  with 
the  swiftness  and  ferocity  of  barbarian  revenge  ;  and  in 
1071,  by  one  bloody  battle,  finally  broke  the  power  of 
the  Emperors  in  Asia. 

The  blow  was  now  ready  to   come  down.     It  was 
still  averted.     A  civil  war  had  begun  among  the  Turks, 
perhaps  saved  the  whole  of  Europe  from  a  des« 


GREEK   REVOLUTION.  4l<3 

olation,  like  that  of  India  by  Timour.  The  western 
world  had  then  no  force  to  oppose  to  the  savage  jet  not 
undisciplined  vigour,  and  the  inexhaustible  multitudes 
of  the  Turkish  cavalry.  The  fairest  thrones  of  Eu 
rope  might  have  still  descended  to  a  succession  of  grim 
barbarians,  and  the  mountain  and  the  desert  might  have 
been  the  desperate  refuge  of  her  people. —  Europe 
might  to  this  hour  have  been  like  Spain  in  the  days  of 
Pelayo.  The  civil  war  divided  the  irresistible  mass  of 
power;  and  four  dynasties  were  formed,  those  of  Per 
sia,  Kerman,  Syria,  and  Roum.  In  1074,  Soliman,  the 
head  of  the  dynasty  of  Roum,  crossed  the  Euphrates. 
All  gave  way  before  his  troops  to  the  banks  of  the  Hel 
lespont.  Still  the  blow  was  suspended.  A  new  and 
mightier  conquerer  had  arisen  in  the  north  ;  and  the 
Turkish  conquests  were  trampled  down  by  Zingis  and 
his  Mongols.  But  in  the  year  1299,  Othrnan  invaded 
the  territory  of  Nicomedia,  and  thenceforth  the  Turks 
never  retreated.  The  time  was  now  short.  In  1300 
Anatolia  was  divided  among  the  Turkish  officers  ;  and 
in  the  memorable  year  1312  was  completed  the  fall  and 
irrecoverable  ruin  of  the  once  glorious  churches  of 
Asia. 

It  is  now  unimportant  to  follow  the  fates  of  the  Greek 
Empire.  Yet  there  is  some  curiosity  in  marking  the 
course  by  which  the  Turk  advanced  to  the  triumph  over 
the  last  citadel  of  the  mightiest  dominion  that  was  ever 
placed  in  the  hands  of  man.  In  1353  the  Ottoman  ar 
mies  crossed  the  sea  and  established  their  camp  in  Eu 
rope.  Constantinople  seems  to  have  been  respited, 
like  the  churches.  Her  feuds,  her  opulence  and  her 
feebleness,  equally  invited  the  military  ardour  and  ava 
rice  of  the  Sultan.  Yet  though  within  a  few  hours* 
inarch,  and  perhaps  a  few  hours'  possession  of  this 
most  magnificent  city  of  the  earth,  he  drew  off  his 
squadrons  to  the  north,  and  pitched  his  tents  among  the 
solitudes  and  marshes  of  Dacia.  In  1403  Bajazet,  a 
Chieftain  of  proverbial  boldness  and  cruelty,  ad  van- 


416  SKETCH  OF  THE 

ced  towards  Constantinople.  But  he  was  suddenly 
summoned  to  a  more  deadly  struggle  by  the  approach 
of  Timour.  The  Tartar  destroyed  his  army,  but  soon 
turned  to  triumphs  in  a  mo^e  genial  climate,  and  in 
1421  Mahomet  the  First  restored  the  fallen  honors  of 
the  Turkish  standard.  The  end  was  now  at  hand. 
The  Moslem  had  been  gradually  narrowing  their  circuit 
round  Constantinople,  commencing  almost  from  the 
ground  on  which  the  Russian  troops  stand,  they  had 
formed  a  vast  crescent,  touching  Asia  with  the  ®ne 
horn,  and  the  Mediterranean  with  the  other.  In  1451 
Mahomet  the  Second  mounted  the  throne.  Constan- 
tine  Paleologus,  Ihe  last  of  that  race  of  Kings  which 
had  exhibited  such  momentous  variety  of  guilt  and  for 
tune,  was  yet  not  unworthy  to  close  the  line  of  the 
mightiest  of  all  empires.  Pious  to  the  best  of  his  knowl 
edge,  and  unquestionably  brave,  he  saw  the  coming  of 
inevitable  ruin,  with  a  determination  to  treat  it  as  be 
came  a  king.  He  might  probably  have  escaped,  but 
he  had  evidently  determined  to  perish  with  the  wreck 
of  his  empire.  He  passed  the  night  before  the  assault 
in  the  offices-  of  religion,  and  on  the  next  morning  led 
his  few  troops  to  the  breach,  and  died  sword  in  hand. 
Constantinople  was  taken  May  the  29th,  1453. 

The  sudden  cessation  of  the  Turkish  conquests  is 
scarcely  a  less  singular  phenomenon.  The  conquer 
ors  of  the  Greek  Empire  had  the  thunderbolts  in  their 
hands.  Europe  was  open  to  them  through  the  Mediter 
ranean  ;  thev  saw  before  them  a  vast  Continent  of  strug 
gling  and  rival  states  ;  they  had  an  army  of  unlimited 
numbers,  sustained  by  the  whole  warlike  population  of 
the  Saracen  faith,  and  whose  discipline  and  equipment 
excited  the  astonishment  of  the  warlike  and  enlightened 
Europeans.*  They  had  the  old  native  thirst  of  rapine 
and  conquest  ;  and  more  formidable  than  all,  the  com 
bination,  enthusiasm,  and  devoted  bravery  of  Islamism. 

*See  Busbequiue,  &c; 


GREEK  REVOLUTION.  417 

-But  their  career  was  suddenly  closed  ;  it  was  said  to  this 
Ocean  of  living  power,  "  Here  shalsl  thy  proud  waves 
be  stayed."  The  conquest  of  the  territory  of  the  prim 
itive  Church  was  complete,  and  the  work  of  the  dynas 
ty  of  Othman  was  done.  The  last  permanent  possession 
of  the  Turks  was  acquired  in  1572,  scarcely  beyond  a 
century  from  their  sitting  on  the  throne  of  Constanti 
nople.  In  that  year  Mahomet  the  Fourth  took  the  city 
of  Kameniec.  Its  territory  of  forty  eight  towns  and 
villages  was  given  up  to  the  Ottomans  by  the  peace.! 

Another  not  less  singular  phenomenon  is  the  perma 
nency  of  this  empire.  For  these  hundred  and  fifty 
years  it  has  had  upon  its  countenance  all  the  symptoms 
of  falling  power.  A  fluctuating  government,  assailed 
by  perpetual  and  bloody  revolution,  rebellious  provin 
ces,  a  mutinous  army,  a  frontier  pressed  upon  by  the 
two  gigantic  military  despotisms  of  the  South  and 
North,  Austria  and  Russia,  long  wars,  always  attended 
with  defeat ,  yet  what  had  Turkey  lost  ?  All  the  pol 
iticians  of  Europe  have  for  this  century  and  a  half  beea 
predicting  her  speedy  ruin  ;  yet,  until  the  Greek  insur 
rection,  sbo  had  fiot  lost  a  province.  We  disclaim  the 
common  rashness  of  attributing  things  in  the  ordinary 
and  trivial  courses  of  life  to  an  interposing  Providence  ; 
but  it  is  not  unsuitable  to  hunvlity,  nor  unsupported  by 
the  declared  acting  of  the  great  Disposer,  to  conceive 
him  exercising  his  high  prerogatives  in  the  fates  of  na 
tions  ;  and  above  all,  in  the  fates,  the  punishments,  and 
preservations  of  hischureh.  When  it  shall  be  his  will 
to  relieve  the  fairest  portion  of  early  Christendom,  the 
land  of  the  apostles,  the  saints  and  martyrs,  the  mount 
Zion  of  Christianity,  from  the  trampling  of  its  savage 
lords,  it  shall  be  accomplished,  but  not  till  then.  The 
very  difficulty  in  human  eyes  of  continuing  this  broken 
and  tottering  dominion,  may  have  been  for  the  purpose 
of  compelling  us  to  follow  the  path  of  that  mightiest 

fSee  Cantemir— 'Decay  of  the  Ottoman  Empire/ 


418  SKETCH  OF  THE 

footstep,  which  is  not  the  less  powerful  and  sure  be* 
cause  it  treads  in  clouds.  The  situation  of  the  Turk 
ish  affairs,  even  so  late  as  1812,  may  excite  some  con 
sciousness  of  a  higher  order  than  that  of  the  mere  pol 
itician.  The  Ottoman  forces  had  been  defeated  in  ev 
ery  encounter,  and  driven  across  the  Danube.  There 
was  now  but  the  solitary  barrier  of  a  mountain  tract, 
ordinarily  crossed  in  six  hours,  between  the  conquerors 
and  Constantinople.  The  Turkish  camp  had  been  ta 
ken,  and  the  mob  of  the  city  would  have  been  the  only 
army  left  to  the  Sultan.  Turkey  was  without  an  ally, 
or  without  one  near  enough  to  stand  between  her  and 
ruin.  The  Russian  army  was  headed  by  its  favorite 
chief;  that  noble  old  man  who  wras  yet  to  be  the  more 
than  conquerors,  the  deliverer  of  Europe.  The  Rus 
sian  government  was  at  last  in  sight  of  the  realization 
of  all  its  splendid  dreams  ;  and  was  pouring  out  its 
whole  infinite  strength,  to  take  possesion  of  the  Mother 
City  of  the  Eastern  Empire.  In  a  moment,  the  whole 
assault  wras  checked,  even  at  the  foot  of  the  rampart. 
The  French  trumpets  sounded  in  the  rear  of  this  con 
fident  and  triumphant  ho&t.  A  new  invader  had  beea 
urged  against  Russia.  A  .great  work  was  io  be  done 
there  too.  The  long  arrear  of  Western  blood  and 
blasphemy  was  to  be  paid  in  the  Russian  deserts,  and 
it  was  paid  with  a  terrible  fulness,  beyond  the  power 
or  the  expectation  of  man.  But  it  stopped  the  ruin 
that  hung  over  the  empire  of  the  Ottomans.  The 
Russian  armies  were  torn  back  from  the  prey,  like 
hounds  that  had  already  fastened  their  fangs  in  its  pal 
pitating  flesh,  and  been  sent  to  hunt  down  a  still  more 
savage  and  guiltier  victim.  The  Turks,  from  broken 
and  almost  suppliant  enemies,  were  instantaneously  rais 
ed  into  equals  and  allies,  and  by  the  treaty  of  1812, 
were  gladly  reinstated  by  Russia  in  every  right  and 
province  lost  by  the  sword. 

All  those  are  things  out   of  the  common  course  of 
It  is  an  extraordinary  thing  to  see  a   natioa  of 


&REEK  REVOLUTION.  41  y 

barbarians  fixed  in  a  Christian  land,  and  that  too  the 
most  sacred,  the  most  fondly  revered  by  Christian  feel 
ings.  It  is  an  extraordinary  thing  to  see  a  nation  utter 
ly  resisting  the  approaches  of  that  brilliant  and  produc 
tive  civilization  which  absolutely  surrounds  and  urges 
itself  on  it  in  every  form  ;  a  stubborn  and  more  tnan 
iron  mass,  that  lying  in  the  very  furnace  to  which  the 
ancient  ruggedness  of  a!  I  European  barbarism  has  given 
way,  yet  refuses  to  be  softened,  or  purified,  or  even  to  be 
warmed,  ft  is  an  extraordinary  thing  to  see  an  empire, 
the  old  and  perpetual  object  of  ambition  to  its  greater 
military  neighbours,  who  have  often  combined  for  its 
spoliation,  still  secure  ;  feeble  in  all  its  parts,  yet  firm 
in  its  whole — unabie  to  advance  a  foot  beyond  its  own 
boundaries,  yet  defying  the  advance  of  all  others  with 
in  them — with  a  rebellious  populace  and  a  mutinous  ar 
my,  a  short  sighted  and  brutal  policy,  a  King  taken 
from  the  Seraglio,  and  a  ministry  gathered  from  the 
shambles  and  the  streets  ;  yet  making  head  against  the 
disciplined  strength,  the  regular  resources,  the  improv 
ed  and  combined  policy,  and  the  accomplished  knowl 
edge,  military  and  ministerial,  that  are  to  be  found 
along  the  whole  immense  lines  of  hostility  openly  or 
secretly  arrayed  against  them.  It  is  an  extraordinary 
thing  to  see  Mahometanism  preserved  in  a  portion  of 
Europe,  and  preserved  in  its  original  strictness,  blind 
ness,  and  ferocity,  when  it  has  been  superseded,  or  de 
cayed  in  its  original  seats,  when  as  a  national  religion,  it 
has  been  unsustained  by  almost  any  of  those  forms  of 
privilege  arid  emolument  which  seem  necessary  for  the 
permanence  of  religion  in  the  conflicting  und  worldly 
urgency  of  human  pursuits  and  professions  ;  and  even 
with  a  vast  proportion  of  its  most  productive  subjects, 
nearly  the  entire  of  its  tributaries,  its  merchants,  its 
foreign  agents,  and  its  manufacturers,  Christian.  It  is 
an  extraordinary  thing  that  a  cruel  and  despotic  Do 
mination,  over  whose  utter  ruin  every  heart  in  Europe 
would  exult — for  which  not  a  voice  would  be  raised 


4 £0  SKETCH  OF 

from  one  end  to  the  earth  to  the  other,  to  whose  tall  tk<*. 
most  patriotic  and  enlightened  philosophy  looks  as  to 
life  from  the  dead,  to  the  restoration  of  Asia,  to  the  re- 
eovery  of  the  loveliest  region  of  the  globe  to  knowledge, 
peace,  and  -religion — should  be  still  undiminished. 
should  cover  that  glorious- lan.d,  like  the  mass  flung  ©ut 
from  the  volcano,  the  fiery  torrent  checked  indeed  in  its 
headlong  career,  but  there  hardened  into  incorrigible 
rock,  a  huge  and  sullen  heap  of  sterility,  to  be  nether 
cultivated  nor  removed  by  the  power  of  man. 

The  Greek  insurrection  assumes  to  us  an  aspect  of 
loftier  importance  from  those  considerations.  What 
ever  might  be  our  sympathies  with  the  fortunes  of  a 
brave  arid  unhappy  people,  striving  with  their  naked 
hands  to  tear  off  the  manacles  that  have  cut  them  to 
the  soul,  we  feel  a  still  stronger  interest  in  this  gene 
rous  struggle,  fr°m  its  giymg  tne  signa'  of  mightier  chan 
ges  perhaps  throughout  the  whole  extent  of  the  civili 
zed  world.  It  may  be  extinguished,  and  the  time, 
which  shall  yet  surely  come,  may  be  thus  deferred  ;  but 
if  it  should  succeed,  it  will  have  made  the  only  actual 
aggression  on  the  fabric  of  the  Turkish  power,  the  only 
permanent  inroad  into  that  great  interdicted  desert,  it 
will  have  stricken  the  first  blow  on  the  Talisman  on 
which  is  engraved  the  spell  that  has  for  ages  kept  the 
Ottoman  throne  inaccessible  to  tibe  hostility  of  human 
nature. 

It  is  impossible  that  this  godless,  corrupt  and  infidel 
kingdom  should  be  tolerated  but  for  the  purpose  of 
punishing.  There  have  been  other  criminals,  revolt- 
ers  from  the  faith,  abusers  of  the  benevolence  of  Heaven, 
on  whom  the  Ottoman  has  been  brought  as  the  locust, 
to  destroy  the  living  vegetation  of  their  strength  abd 
prosperity.  The  pestilence  and  famine  are  the  infe 
rior  agents  of  wrath,  but  the  time  for  the  cessation  of 
punishment  may  be  as  deeply  determined  as  for  its  in 
fliction  ;  and  then  comes  the  retribution  OQ  the.  punch 
er.  Human  violence  was  used  in  the  whole  course  of 


GREEK    REVOLUTION.  421. 

the  Jewish  Annals  for  the  castigation  of  the  crimes  of 
Israel.  The  Assyrian  idolater  was  made  great  for  his 
day  by  the  fall  of  the  chosen  people.  But  when  the 
hour  of  deliverance  was  ordained,  there  was  ordained 
with  it  the  ruin  of  the  instrument  of  slavery  and  blood, 
and  Assyria  was  cast  from  her  golden  supremacy,  and 
Babylon  was  condemned  into  the  haunt  of  the  vulture 
and  the  lion  forever  ! 

The  Geographical  division  of  Greece  adopted  by  the 
Provisional  Government  is  as  follows  : — • 

INHABITANTS. 

Eastern  Hellas,  containing  80,000 

Western  Hellas,  70,000 

The  Morea,  450,000 

Crete  and  the  Islands,  350,000 

Epirus,  400,000 

Thessaly,  300,000 

Macedonia,  700,000 

Total,  2,350,000 

Of  this  population  but  about  one  third  can  be  called 
original  Greeks.  The  rest  are  Albanians  and  Turks, 
with  some  few  thousands  of  Franks  and  Jews.  The 
mountainous  regions  had  never  been  completely  redu 
ced  under  the  Turks.  The  horse  and  scymitar  had 
made  them  masters  of  the  plain,  they  became  feudal 
possessors  of  the  territory  under  the  usual  tenure,  of  mil 
itary  service  to  the  Sultan,  and  held  the  remaining 
Greeks  as  cultivators  and  serfs  of  the  soil.  But  multi 
tudes  had  retreated  to  the  freedom  and  security  of  the 
mountain  tracts,  and  as  the  Turkish  chain  became 
heavier,  multitudes  flung  it  off  and  flew  to  their  free 
countrymen.  The  vacancy  produced  by  this  flight 
was  partially  filled  up  by  forced  or  voluntary  accessions 
of  Christian  inhabitants  from  Albania  and  Bulgaria, 
About  two  hundred  years  a^o,  a  large  emigration  of 

36 


422  SKETCH  OF    THE 

Christian  Albanians  entered  Boetia,  Attica,  and  Argolis 
where  their  language  is  still  retained.  The  Island  of 
Hydra,  the  seat  of  the  commercial  and  naval  enterprise 
of  Greece,  was  peopled  hy  this  race,  and  in  whatever 
quarter  they  settled  they  have  been  hardy,  active  and 
brave. 

yVnother  multitude  of  the  original  Greeks  had  pas 
sed  over  into  Asia  Minor  during  the  last  half  century. 
They  fled  from  the  increased  oppression  of  the  Turks, 
yet  they  passed  under  a  Turkish  Government ;  but  it 
was  that  of  the  Kara  Osman  Oglu  family,  the  singular 
ly  mild  viceroys  of  the  valleys  of  the  Hemus  and  Cai- 
cus. 

There  was  but  little  severity  in  the  established  trib 
utes  of  the  Greeks  under  even  the  European'  Turks. 
The  mode  of  apportioning  the  rent  had  been  adopted 
from  the  usages  of  the  Greek  Empire.  A  seventh 
of  the  produce  was  set  apart  for  the  land-tax.  The 
landlord  received  half  the  remainder,  or  a  larger  por 
tion,  according  to  his  supply  of  seed,  stock,  and  agricul 
tural  tools.  The  capitation  tax,  however  exposed  to 
vexations  in  the  collecting,  was  comparatively  trivial  ; 
it  was  levied  on  every  Christian,  but  it  seldom  amount 
ed  to  more  than  two  pounds  sterling  for  each  family. 
|But  the  real  grievances  remained  behind  ;  the  Turk 
was  privileged  to  compel  the  Greek  peasant  to  sell  his 
produce  for  the  public  use,  of  either  the  Sultan,  or  the 
local  government,  at  whatever  price  the  mercy  of  his 
tyrant  pleased.  There  were  perpetual  demands  of 
contributions  in  money  or  kind  ;  soldiers  were  quarter 
ed  on  them  ;  they  were  compelled  to  supply  labour  for 
the  public  works.  This  system  of  harassing  and  plun 
der  was  carried  through  the  whole  government,  and  the 
peasants  were  reduced  to  the  lowest  privation.  In  all 
:  conquests  the  inhabitants  of  the  open  country  pay  a 
heavy  price  for  the  luxuriance  of  the  plain,  and  in  the 
levels  of  Thessaly  and  Euboea,  Bceotia  and  Macedonia, 
the  peasantry  lived  under  the  sword.  In  the  mountain 


GREEK  REVOLUTION.  423 

districts,  the  Morea,  and  the  country  south  of  Mount 
iEtna,  the  Turks  were  more  reluctant  to  settle,  and  the 
religious  houses  retained  a  portion  of  their  former  lands. 
A  curious  tenure  preserved  the  rights  of  some  other 
Greeks  even  in  the  more  exposed  territory.  It  had 
been  the  old  custom  of  the  Asiatic  sovereigns  to  set 
apart  cities  and  districts  for  the  peculiar  provision  of 
their  queens  or  households.  The  custom  has  been  re 
tained  by  the  Sultans,  and  lar^e  districts  of  the  more  fer 
tile  parts  of  Greece  belonged  to  the  Sultanas,  or  to  the 
Harem  in  general,  or  even  to  the  Mosques.  The  ten 
antry  in  possession  were  comparatively  secure,  and  the 
exactions  were  comparatively  mild.  The  gentleness  of 
female  influence  was  felt  in  even  this  system  of  ty 
ranny;  and  the  complaints  of  the  Greek  who  supplied 
the  toilets  of  the  Harem  were  seldom  neglected  by  his 
imperial  mistress.  The  Greek  of  the  Islands  was  still \ 
less  subject  to  injury.  In  the  ^Egean,  excepting  in  por 
tions  of  the  Islands  nearest  the  Asiatic  shore,  Rhodes, 
Cos,  and  Lesbos,  the  Greeks  paid  only  the  land-tax  and 
capitation.  But  on  the  whole  this  memorable  people  j 
was  in  the  most  distressed  state  of  any  Christian  nation.  \ 
Neither  life  nor  property  was  their  own.  Their  gov- 1 
ernment  was  tyranny,  their  revenue  was  extortion, 
their  law  was  the  sword  ;  they  lived  under  the  heel  of 
a  barbarous  dominion,  haughty  from  its  nature  and  its 
creed. 

In  the  freedom  and  security  of  our  country,  we  possi 
bly  cannot  conceive  the  long  misery  of  life  passed  un 
der  the  wild  caprice  and  perpetual  irritation  of  Turkish 
tyranny — the  exposure  of  the  deepest  and  dearest  in 
terests  of  our  blood  and  being  to  brutal  passion  or  ma 
lignant  power ;  the  bitter  and  constant  fear  that  the  . 
fruits  of  a  life  of  labor  would  be  sacrificed  to  the  ava 
rice  of  some  insolent  slave,  raised  into  sudden  authority 
by  his  superior  villany,  and  sent  forth  to  live  by  plunder 
and  tread  down  every  hope  of  honor  and  prosperity  in 
the  land.  God  forbid,  we  say  in  the  sincerity  of  our 


424  SKETCH  OF  THE 

souls,  that  this  should  last,  even  if  the  subject  nation 
were  but  a  step  above  the  beasts  that  perish  ;  even  if 
there  were  no  seed  of  manliness  among  them  ;  if,  in  the 
long  series  of  ages,  they  had  never  given  proof  of  a  no 
ble  thought,  or  an  action  worthy  of  human  nature. — 
God  forbid  that  man  bearing  his  image,  however  hu 
miliated,  and  defiled  with  the  dust  of  slavery,  should 
not  at  length  clear  away  the  stain  ;  that  the  day  of  op 
pression  should  not  have  an  end,  and  the  lash  and  the 
fetter  at  length  cease  to  resound  in  this  mighty  dungeon  ; 
or  still  more,  that  England,  the  very  throne  of  Christian 
ity  and  Freedom,  should  not  be  the  first  to  command 
this  merciless  desolation  of  gallant  hearts  and  Christian 
faith  to  be  at  an  end  ;  and  if  her  remonstrances  should 
fail  in  the  majesty  of  justice,  and  by  the  high  privilege 
of  her  power,  delegated  for  sueh  things,  finally  wring 
the  scourge  from  the  hand  of  the  godless  oppressor. 

But  that  this  unfortunate  people  are  eminently  wor 
thy  of  the  interference  and  interest  of  enlightened  Eu 
rope,  we  have  evidences  of  the  most  sufficient  kind. 
Of  this  order  is  Colonel  Leake,  who  from  his  official 
residence,  his  professional  rank,  and  his  peculiar  study 
of  the  people  and  language,  is  undeniable  authority. 
{This  officer  tells  us,  in  his  late  very  interesting  Memoir,* 
jthat  "  though  the  condition  of  the  peasant  is,  on  the 
whole,  miserable,  he  is  in  general  industrious,  much  at 
tached  to  his  family,  anxious  for  the  education  of  his 
children,  and  equal  if  not  superior,  in  intelligence,  to 
the  peasantry  of  the  most  civilized  countries  of  Europe." 

He  proceeds  to  tell  us,  that  this  distinguished  charac 
teristic  of  the  ancient  Greeks  is  retained  by  their  de 
scendants  of  every  condition  in  a  degree  so  striking  as  to 
attract  the  attention  of  all  strangers,  even  of  those  most 
disposed  to  think  harshly  of  the  Greeks  :  that  among 
the  most  uncultivated  and  ignorant  of  this  unhappy 
people,  even  in  those  provinces  where  the  Turkish  ty- 

*  Historical  outline  of  the  Greek  Revolution.     By  W.  M.  Leake. 


GREEK  REVOLUTION.  425 

ranny  would  have  been  almost  enough  to  extinguish  the 
heart  and  understanding  of  man,  the  stranger  is  forced 
to  acknowledge"  the  curiosity,  ingenuity,  keenness,  and 
elocution  of  their  famous  forefathers,  and  the  natural 
effect  of  which  upon  the  present  race  was  an  extreme 
impatience  of  their  present  condition."  "  Not  a  trav 
eller  from  Europe  could  pass  without  exciting  the  hope 
that  some  interference  in  their  favor  was  in  contempla 
tion  ;  and  he  never  failed  to  hear  from  them  many  bit 
ter  reproaches  against  us  for  allowing  our  fellow-Chris 
tians  to  remain  enslaved  under  the  yoke  of  infidels." 

Colonel  Leake  attributes  a  large  portion  of  the  mis 
representations  of  the  Greek  character  to  the  route 
pursued  by  the  ordinary  tourists.  Individuals  accus 
tomed  to  the  indulgences  of  civilized  countries,  are  sud 
denly  plunged  into  the  privations  and  inconveniences  of 
a  depressed  and  poor  state  of  society ;  or  they  come 
with  romantic  notions  borrowed  from  antiquity  ;  or  to 
avoid  the  common  hazards  of  travel  through  the  moun 
tain  countries,  where  the  true  people  are  to  be  alone 
found,  they  maie  a  party  of  pleasure  through  the  beaten 
track  of  Athens,  the  islands,  the  Asiatic  coast  the  plain 
of  Troy  and  Constantinople  ;  a  road  where,  of  course, 
travellers  are  as  much  the  accustomed  prey  as  upon 
other  frequented  roads,  and  where  extortion  is  the  natu^ 
ral  lesson.  "  Their  journey  is  concluded  before  they 
have  acquired  a  sufficient  knowledge  of  the  language  to 
form  any  impartial  estimate  of  the  national  character 
and  they  come  in  contact  chiefly  with  those  ciassess  up 
on  which  the  long  subjection  to  the  Turks  has  had  the 
greatest  effect ;  such  as  persons  in  authority  under  the 
government,  or  otherwise  in  Turkish  employ — ser 
vants,  interpreters,  the  lower  order  of  traders,  and  gen 
erally  the  inhabitants  of  those  towns  in  which  the 
Turkish  population  has  a  great  preponderance  of  nun> 
bers." 

"  It  is  obviously  not  in  those  situations,  but   in  the 
more   unfrequented  islands,  an!   on  the   continent    of 
3.6* 


426  SKETCH  OF  THE 

European  Greece,  where  the  Turks  do  not  form  the 
tenth  part  of  the  population,  that  the  inquiry  ought  to1 
he  made,  whether  any  of  the  ancient  talents  and  vir 
tues  of  the  Greeks  have  survived  the  centuries  of  Mus 
sulman  oppression  which  supervened  upon  the  debase 
ment  caused  by  Byzantine  despotism,  weakness  and  su 
perstition.  In  such  an  inquiry,  it  would  be  further 
necessary  to  distinguish  between  the  inhabitants  of  the 
plains  and  those  of  the  mountains  ;  for  those  two  class 
es  have  been  placed  in  very  different  circumstances  ever 
since  the  establishment  of  the  Ottoman  power  in 
Greece."" 

The  Turkish  oppression  has  been  so  directly  the 
source  of  the  chief  defects  in  the  character  of  the  Greek 
of  our  day,  that  in  exact  proportion  as  that  fatal  influ 
ence  is  enfeebled,  so  rises  the  national  character.  Its 
nature  is  elastic,  and  it  springs  up  even  in  every  mo 
mentary  removal  of  the  pressure  ;  but  its  true  displays 
^are  to  be  found  where  the  Turk  dares  riot  come.  The 
most  remarkable  contrast  to  the  inhabitants  of  the 
plains  is  to  be  found  in  those  Islands  of  the  ^Egean, 
"  where  there  are  no  Turkish  inhabitants  ;"  and  in  the 
mountainous  parts  of  Crete,  of  Laconia,  Arcadia,  JEtol- 
la,  Locris,  Epirus,  Thessaly,  and  Macedonia.  Here 
the  Greeks  bear  "  the  most  striking  resemblance,"  in 
both  their  virtues  and  vices,  to  their  illustrious  ances 
tors — u  industrious,  hardy,  enterprising  heroic  ;  ar 
dently  attached  to  their  homes  and  country  ;  living  on 
little,  or  lovers  of  wine  and  gaiety,  as  the  occasion 
prompts  ;  sanguine,  quick,  ingenious,  imitative.1'  The 
picture  has  its  dark  side — "  Vain,  inconstant,  envious, 
treacherous,  and  turbulent."  This  picture  is  not  from 
the  hand  of  an  enthusiast  ;  the  stains  are  too  faithfully 
marked.  But  we  must  remember,  that  these  defects 
would  be  the  natural  qualities  of  any  people  leading 
the  distracted  and  uncertain  life  of  the  Greeks — even  in 
his  strongest  place  of  security,  pent  up  amid  wild  tracts 
of  barren  country,  shut  out  from  general  communica- 


GREEK  REVOLUTION.  427 

lion,  condemned  to  the  habits  of  the  hunter  and  the 
marauder,  liable  to  annual  inroads  of  a  merciless  ene 
my,  and  from  his  cradle  to  his  grave,  either  the  spoil  or 
the  antagonists  of  the  oppressor.  Poverty,  suspicion, 
loneliness — the  inclemency  of  the  elements- — a  life  of 
hazard — flight  or  attack — what  original  constitution  of 
virtue  could  have  attained  its  true  stature  ?  There  is 
not.  a  national  character  under  Heaven  that  would  not 
have  hardened  and  darkened  under  this  perpetual  rude 
ness  of  fortune.  That  the  Greek  retains  any  qualities 
entitling  him  to  rank  among  men,  is  the  phenomenon 
the  powerful  evidence  of  what  illustrious  qualities  he 
may  yet  show  forth,  when  miser}7  and  shame  shall  cov 
er  him  no  more,  and  he  shall  be  called  to  take  his  arm 
ed  stand  in  the  great  field,  where  nations  struggle  for 
more  than  the  glory  of  the  sword. 

The  true  author  of  the  Greek  insurrection  was  AJi 
Pasha.  This  man's  ambition,  intercourse  with  Euro 
peans,  and  fierce  and  oriental  catastrophe,  have  thrown 
all  the  circumstances  of  his  life  and  character  into  pub 
lic  knowledge.  His  birth  was  honourable  among  his 
barbarian  countrymen  ;  he  was  the  descendant  of  a  long 
line  of  warrior  robbers,  lords  of  some  of  those  small 
districts  into  which  a  mountain  country  is  naturally  di 
vided. — A  remote  ancester,  and  robber,  Muzzo.  had 
made  himself  master  of  Zepeleni,  a  town  on  the  left 
bank  of  the  Voiussi.  Mouktar  Bey,  Ali's  grandfather, 
was  a  distinguished  soldier,  and  slain  at  the  seige  of 
Corfu.  Veli  Bey,  the  youngest  of  Mouktar -s  sons,  and 
father  of  Ali,  had  been  Pasha  of  Delvino,  but,  driven 
from  his  Paschalik,  and  reduced  to  his  origin,  lordship, 
he  died  of  grief.  At  this  period  Ali  was  but  fourteen^ 
He  had  been  born  at  Zepeleni,  in  1743.  The  death  of 
his  father  exposed  the  town  to  the  rapacity  of  all  the 
surrounding  clans.  Khamco,  his  mother,  a  true  barba 
rian  heroine,  instantly  threw  aside  the  distaff,  sword  m 
hand  rallied  the  dependants  of  Jthe  family,  and  repelled 
the  invaders.  In  one  of  these  attacks,  she  and  her 


428  SKETCH  OF  THE 

daughter  Shunitza  were  taken  prisoners  by  the  people 
of  Gardiki,  who  treated  them  with  the  indesirable  in 
sults  of  a  robber's  victory.  They  were  released  at  the 
end  of  a  month  by  ransom  ;  but  the  insult  sunk  deep 
into  Ali's  spirit,  and  he  treasured  it  for  almost  half  a 
century,  till  it  was  wiped  away  in  the  blood  and  ashes 
of  Gardiki. 

Ali  had  all  the  restlessness  and  craft  of  the  savage, 
mingled  with  the  rapacity  of  the  robber,  and  the  native 
activity  and  bravery  of  the  Greek  mountaineer.  From 
the  age  of  sixteen  he  was  a  soldier  and  a  plunderer, 
continually  engaged  in  brief  expeditions  against  the 
neighboring  tribes,  carrying  off  cattle,  or  making  de 
scents  among  the  richer  population  of  the  valleys. 
Success  and  defeat  were  for  awhile  alternate,  but  at 
length  he  was  on  the  point  of  ruin.  An  attack  near 
the  sources  of  the  Chelydnus  had  been  followed  by  the 
total  dispersion  of  his  wild  troop,  and  Ali  fled  alone  to 
Mount  Mertzika,  so  reduced  that  he  was  compelled  to 
pledge  his  scymitar  to  buy  barley  for  his  horse.  He 
made  the  attempt  again  with  a  force  of  six  hundred 
men,  and  was  again  beaten.  Khanaco,  for  whom  he 
had  always  felt  a  singular  homage,  had  commanded  him, 
in  almost  the  words  of  the  Spartan  mother,  u  Never  to 
come  back  but  dead,  or  a  conqueror."  As  he  gather 
ed  the  remnant  of  his  soldiers  from  this  disastrous  field, 
he  went  into  the  ruins  of  a  church,  near  Valera,  to  rest 
and  think  over  what  was  to  be  done.  There,  in  his 
agitation,  he-stood,  unconsciously,  striking  his  stick  in 
to  the  ground.  It  at  last  struck  upon  something  that 
returned  a  sound. — He  dug  up  the  spot,  and,  to  his  as 
tonishment,  found  a  box  filled  with  gold  coin.  He  had 
now  found  the  true  way  to  the  barbarian  victory.  It 
would  be  a  fine  juncture  for  the  pencil  to  seize  upon  the 
figure  of  this  mountain  warrior  at  the  moment ;  the 
countenance  lighted  up  with  the  wild  exultation  and 
fiery  foresight  of  the  whole  long  career  of  triumph,  that 
burst  upon  him  in  the  discovery.  The  accessories,  too*. 


GREEK  REVOLUTION.  429 

of  the  picture  would  be  powerful.  The  military 
equipments,  stained  and  purpled  by  toil  and  battle  ;  the 
sacred  ruin  round  him,  with  its  broken  altars  and 
weedy  columns  ;  the  remnant  of  his  defeated  troops 
covering  the  hill  side  ;  the  brilliant  mountains  and  sky 
of  Greece  above  all. 

With  this  treasure,  AH  raised  an  army  of  two  thou 
sand  men,  renewed  the  campaign,  swept  the  enemy  be 
fore  him,  and  returned  to  Zepeleni,  a  conqueror,  never 
to  be  repulsed  again  from  the  way  to  sovereignty. 

On  his  triumphant  return,  he,  by  force  or  persuasion, 
induced  his  mother  to  resign  Zepeleni. — The  heroine 
retired  to  the  Harem,  where  she  soon  after  died.  Ali 
now  furnished  with  the  means  of  indulging  his  natural 
impulses,  indulged  them  to  the  utmost,  and  became  the 
most  renowned  among  the  marauding  chieftains  of  the 
hills.  He  threw  troops  into  the  principal  passes  of 
the  chain  of  Pinuus,  and  was  thus  master  of  the  whole 
traffic  of  Thessaly  and  Macedonia.  Merchants,  cara 
vans,  public  convoy?,  all  fell  into  the  hands  of  this 
young  and  enterprising  lord  of  the  "  robbers/'  The 
slow  vigilance  of  the  Turkish  government  was  at  length 
roused,  and  Kourd  Pasha,  the  Dervindji  Pasha,  or 
"  Governor  of  the  passes,"  the  officers  appointed  to 
protect  the  communications,  were  ordered  to  crush  the 
less  licensed  plunderer.  But  Ali's  dexterity  evaded  an 
open  encounter,  with  the  Sultan,  and  the  attack  which 
was  to  have  been  his  ruin,  ended  in  an  alliance  with  the 
Pasha,  and  a  marriage  with  the  daughter  of  the  Turk 
ish  Governor  of  Argyro  Castro.  A  succession  of 
mountain  conquests  rapidly  raised  him  into  higher  no 
tice,  until  the  next  "  Governor  of  the  Passes1'  found  it 
the  wiser  policy  to  make  Ali  his  deputy.  The  old  craft 
of  the  Greek  was  not  forgotten.  The  deputy,  instead 
of  extinguishing  the  Kelphts,  sold  licenses  for  plunder 
to  the  amount  of  150,000  pastrees.  The  story  reach 
ed  Constantinople.  The  Pasha  was  recalled,  and  be 
headed  for  his  neglect  or  corruption.  Ali,  still  dexte- 


430  *      "'"    SKETCH  OF  TH'E       •*"••     ..- 

•  ~"  V- 

rous  and  fortunate,  bribed  the  ministers, -and -it 

caped  punishment  and  fixed  an  interestin' trie  Seraglio. 

His  character  as  a  leader  was  MI  o'w/-- distinguished, 
and  he  was  summoned  to  the  comfyaflA'-of  a  body 
of  Abanians  in  the  war  with  Russia. -^AH.had  now  first 
come  within  the  circle  of  European  politics,  and  his 
ambition  was  suddenly-awakened  to  the  more  brilliant 
object  of  independent  power.  The  purpose  of  Rus 
sia  was  to  assail  Turkey  at  once  on  the  north  and  south, 
to  penetrate  to  Constantinople,  by  an  army  from  Mol 
davia  and  a  fleet  from  the  Mediterranean.  To  detach 
the  Albanian  chieftain  became  important.  The  cap 
ture  of  one  of  his  nephews  gave  an  opening  for  his 
correspondence  with  Potemkin.  and  it  seems  authenti 
cated  that  there  .was  twofold  conspiracy,  by  which 
Potemkin,  at  the  head  of  the  Russian  army,  was  to 
make  himself  sovereign  of  Constantinople,  and  to  confer 
on  Ali  the  kingdom  of  Epirus.  But  the  war  ceased  in 
the  midst  of  Russian  victories.  Potemkin,  the  most 
powerful  subject  in  the  world,  sunk  into  shade,  proba 
bly  from  the  detection  of  his  designs,  and  All's 
dream  vanished  for  the  time.  Yet  his  sagacity  saw 
where  his  own  strength  and  the  weakness  of  Turkey 
lay  ;  and  from  that  period  he  kept  up  a  correspondence 
with  Russia  until  he  was  master  of  Epirus  without  its 
aid  ;  and  if  he  had  nothing  to  fear  from  its  hostility,  he 
had  nothing  to  hope  from  its  friendship. 

Human  nature  may  justly  shrink  from  the  mingled 
ferocity  and  cunning,  the  contempt  of  faith,  and  the  fu 
rious  passions,  that  characterise  the  career  of  this  me 
morable  barbarian.  But  it  is  impossible  not  to  be 
struck  by  the  display  of  vigorous  and  original  ability, 
that  throws  a  kind  of  sullen  splendour  over  his  whole 
gloomy  and  precipitous  track.  His  purpose  from  the 
beginning  is  power  ;  he  is  repeatedly  baffled,  but  he 
rises  again  from  the  ground  with  fresh  resolutions  ;  he 
hunts  his  prey  through  every  difficulty  with  the  fierce 
stanchness  of  a  bloodhound.  Treachery  and  valor. 


REVOLUTION 


rte  skill  of  a  first  rate  UctciaB 
Great  Passes  between  Wc^c  "' 
nople,it  threw  the 


'  Ch°Ee"  with 
°nthe 


of  Joannian  and  the  w 
west.     Aliwas  inlc  < 

productive  province  of  Qre     and 
was  raised  within  ' 

western 


7  °f  the 

'^  m°?t 
same 


now  lost 


no 


We,  excited    y         n  d 

">..It.     Assassination    mbh-',  i         lnt°Sudden   tu- 

tlirough  the  coun  rv'  T  J'  a",  °pen  conflict'  "ged 
multitude  of  pet  vYvnn  eaPe?P  °  gr°a"ed  Under  ?h« 
thority  of  onP  ^  for  ">e  an 

of  battle  and 


432  SKETCH  OF  THE 

force,  and  after  a  long  struggle,  they   were  utterly  de 
feated,  and  driven  into  the  city.     But  it  was  among  the 
characteristics  of  this  extraordinary  man  never  to  run 
an  unnecessary  hazard.     The  walls  of  Joannina,  gar 
risoned  by  a  dispirited  army,  would  probably  have  been 
mastered  fyy   his  troops,  however  untrained  to   sieges. 
But  he  had  a  more  secure,   though   a  more  circuitous 
way  to  victory. — By  threats  and  money  he  formed   a 
party  in  the  country,  and  induced  them  to  send  a  depu 
tation  to  Constantinople,  proposing  him  for  the  gov 
ernment.     The  Beys,   aware  of  the  mission,  instantly 
gent  to  deprecate  the  appointment.     They  succeeded. 
Ali's  talents  had    already  rendered  him   formidable  at 
Constantinople,  and  his    deputation    returned   with  a 
Firman,   commanding   him   to  the  bitter  measure   of 
withdrawing  from  the  prize   already  within   his  grasp, 
and  even  disbanding  his   army.     Nothing  could   have 
been  more  anxious  than   the  alternative.     Resistance 
would  have  been  rebellion  and  ruin,  soon  or  late.     The 
dismission  of  his  troops  would  have  been,  on  the  Ottoman 
principles,  probably  followed  by  the  loss   of  his  head. 
B«t  by  an  act  of  more  than  Punic  skill,  he  evaded  this 
formidable  dilemma,  and  actually  triumphed.     He  had 
received  intelligence  of  his  failure,  and  of  the  Firrnan, 
from  an  agent  who  had  rode  some  days   in  advance   of 
the  deputation  of  which  he  was  one.     The  agent  was 
immediately  sent  back  to  rejoin  it.     The   deputation 
was  received  in  pomp  by  the  Beys,  who  advanced  be 
yond  the  gates   of  Joannina,  to   receive  the  Sultan's 
order  with  becoming  homage.     It  was   solemnly  open 
ed  in  the  assembly,  each  Bey  first  touching  it  with  his 
forehead  in  token  of  that  submission  of  life  and  death, 
which  is  due  to  the  will  of  the  great  King  of  the   Mos 
lems.     To  the  astonishment  and  alarm  of  all,  the  Fir 
man    declared  Ali  lord   of  the   Pashalik  of  Jonnina  ! 
This  daring   forgery  was  instantly  exclaimed  against; 
but  the  forger  was  not  a  man    to  leave   time  for  the 
growth  of  opposition-     He  instantly  marched  upon  the 


GREEK  REVOLUTION.  433 

city,  now  thronged  with  his  partizans,  augmented  by 
those  who  either  believed  the  reality  of  the  Firman,  or 
looked  for  some  personal  adx-antages  from  the  known 
profusion  of  the  invader.  Ali's  conduct  in  this  crisis 
was  politic  ;  he  lavished  money  on  his  friends  and  the 
populace ;  he  disclaimed  all  revenge,  and  pledged  him 
self  to  the  protection  and  advancement  of  the  Beys, 
who  still  continued  in  the  territory.  His  chief  oppo 
nents  had  fled  to  the  hills  on  the  entrance  of  his  army, 
and  all  was  peace  and  popular  acclamation.  Yet,  in 
the  midst  of  this  public  revel,  he  provided  against  a  re 
verse  with  the  coolness  of  a  veteran  politician.  He 
marched  a  strong  force  into  the  citadel,  and  thus  placed 
himself  out  of  the  power  of  public  change.  But  Con 
stantinople  was  still  to  be  propitiated.  Without  loss 
of  time,  he  sent  a  deputation  of  the  principal  in 
habitants  to  the  Porte,  bearing  his  own  account  of  the 
transaction,  and  bearing  the  still  more  irresistible  argu 
ment  with  a  Turkish  Ministry,  of  large  means  of  cor 
ruption.  It  was  felt  too,  that  he  was  now  in  possession 
of  a  power  which  it  must  take  a  war  to  break  down  ; 
the  policy  of  the  Porte,  furious  and  vindictive  as  it  is, 
has  always  been  to  temporise  until  it  can  destroy  ; 
and  the  Pashalik  was  finally  confirmed  to  its  dexterous 
and  daring  usurper, 

Ali  was  now  a  King  in  all  but  the  name,  and  his  king 
dom  extended  over  a  number  of  provinces  that  still 
touch  us  with  noble  classical  recollections.  The  Pa 
shalik  of  Joannina  comprehended  Locris  (Ozolse,) 
^Etolia,  Acarnania,  Thesprotia,  Molossia,  Chaonia  ;  and 
among  the  towns  of  those  provinces  we^e  Actium,  where 
the  Empire  of  the  Roman  world  was  onee  decided  ; 
and  Dodona,  the  great  central  oracle  of  ancient  super 
stition.  And  this  was  the  achievement  of  a  barbarian, 
unfurnished  with  the  knowledge  of  politics  of  civilized 
states  ;  probably  unable  to  read  or  write  ;  unsustained 
by  alliance  ;  and  forced  to  fight  his  way  foot  by  foot 
under  severities  of  fortune  worse  than  the  storms  of 
37 


434  SKETCH  OF  THE 

his  own  inclement  skies,  and  still  more  perilous,  under 
the  remoreelese  and  subtile  jealousy  of  the  Ottoman. 

The  great  scale  of  European  ambition — the  magni 
tude  of  the  triumph — the  magnitude  of  the  means, 
throw  exploits  like  those  of  Ali  among  his  mountain 
tribes  into  the  shade.  But  (throwing  morality  out  of 
the  question,)  in  the  innate  materials  that  constitute  the 
superiority  of  the  man  as  the  conqueror  and  the  ru 
ler  ; — in  the  distant  and  eagle-eyed  vision  which  he 
fixed  on  his  purpose  from  the  beginning  ; — in  the  re 
sistless  activity  of  his  pursuit  ; — the  inexhaustible  dex 
terity  of  his  intrigue  ;  and  still  more,  in  that  unhesita 
ting  turn,  from  the  most  creeping  subterfuge  to  the 
fiercest  and  most  daring  violence,  the  singular  mixture 
of  the  wiliest  craft  that  belongs  to  cowardice,  with  the 
boldest  risk  that  makes  the  character  of  heroism  ;  Ali. 
Pasha  of  Joannina,  has  had  in  our  time  neither  equal 
nor  rival  but  one — Napoleon,  Pasha  of  the  European 
world. 

The  Russian  and  Austrian  alliance  now  issued  in  a 
war  against  Turkey.  A  secret  treaty  had  been  framed 
between  Catherine  and  Joseph  the  Second,  during  the 
celebrated  progress  to  the  Crimea  in  1787,  for  the  dis 
memberment  of  European  Turkey.  The  strength  of 
the  attack  was  to  have  been  thrown  on  the  western 
frontier  ;  agents  were  despatched  to  prepare  the 
Greeks  ;  engineers  in  disguise  took  plans  of  the  coun 
try  ;  and  the  people  were  taught  to  look  up  to  Austria 
ai  their  natural  protector.  The  Turks,  impatient  of 
insults,  struck  the  first  blow,  and  plunged  into  the  war. 
They  lost  Belgrade  and  Ockzakow  ;  but  one  of  those 
interpositions  which  have  so  often  and  so  signally  saved 
the  Porte,  stopped  the  tide  of  Russian  conquest ;  the 
Emperor  Joseph  died  ;  Potemkin's  views  of  sovereign 
ty  transpired,  and  Catherine,  probably  alarmed  at  trea 
son  so  near  the  throne,  suddenly  checked  her  long  pre 
dicted  march  to  Constantinople. 


GREEK  'REVOLUTION.  435 

All  had  been  commanded  to  join  the  Vizier  with  his 
Albanians,  but  he  had  gained  his  objects  Hazard  was 
now  misplaced,  and  he  had  other  views  than  those  of 
mingling  his  blood  with  the  nameless  carnage  of  a 
Turkish  field.  He  is  said  to  have  seen  scarcely  more 
than  even  the  smoke  of  the  Russian  outposts,  when  he 
returned  to  his  dominions  to  indulge  in  safer  conquests 
for  the  aggrandizement  of  his  personal  power. 

To  be  master  of  the  whole  Western  Greece,  was  the 
grand  object  of  his  ambition.  He  attacked  the  Suliot 
tribe  in  1791,  and  it  is  one  among  the  many  instances 
of  the  power  to  be  found  in  poverty  and  valour,  that 
those  mountaineers  resisted,  and  often  defeated,  the 
trained  troops  and  regular  and  vast  resources  of  the 
great  Pasha.  But  twelve  years  of  battle  and  privation, 
an  extraordinary  period  for  either  attack  or  defence,  at 
length  wore  out  the  brave  population  ;  and  the  remnant 
of  the  Suliot  palikars,  which  had  never  exceeded  three 
thousand  soldiers,  was  reduced  to  capitulate  in  Decem 
ber  1 803,  on  the  terms  of  emigrating  where  they  pleas 
ed.  The  conditions  were  atrociously  violated,  and  the 
greater  part  of  this  valiant  tribe  were  slain  on  the  road 
to  the  coast.  Some  passed  into  the  Russian  service, 
and  formed  an  Albanian  battalion. 

During  this  entire  period  Ali  was  exerting  his  restless 
sagacity  in  balancing  between  the  various  European  in 
terests  that  were  alternately  springing  up  along  his  bor 
ders.  The  victories  of  Napoleon  made  the  Pasha  a 
partizan  of  France  for  the  time.  The  possession  of  the 
Ionian  Isles  by  the  Russians  instantly  converted  him  in 
to  a  sworn  friend  of  the  Autocrat.  The  battle  of  Leip- 
sic,  and  the  hoisting  of  the  British  flag  in  Corfu,  chan 
ged  his  policy  once  more,  and  his  great  passion  was  an 
intimate  alliance  with  the  Lords  of  the  Seas.  Difficult 
as  it  was  to  steer  through  those  opposing  interests,  Ali 
continued  his  perilous  navigation,  perpetually  obtaining 
some  personal  advantage  ;  till  he  had  placed  himself  in 
a  state  of  power,  which  wanted  only  virtue  i&  have 


436  SKETCH  OF  THE   ' 

made  him  monarch  of  Greece,  in  scorn  of  Emperor  and 
Sultan.  His  knowledge  of  the  Porte,  and  the  skill  with 
which  he  baffled  its  perpetual  mae.hinatior.s  against  him 
were  admirable.  In  the  campaign  against  Paswan 
Oglu,  the  Brand  Vizier  summoned  Ali  to  meet  him  in 
full  divan,  for  the  purpose  of  receiving  some  signal  hon 
or  for  his  services.  The  Pasha  well  knew  what  fatal 
honor  the  Porte  would  have  conferred  on  a  subject  so 
prosperous^  But  policy  compelled  him  to  attend  the 
divan.  He  approached  the  Vizier's  tent, -but  it  was  at 
the  head  of  six  thousand  of  his  Albanians.  The  Vizier 
received  this  formidable  guest  with  well-dissembled 
courtesy,,  and  Ali  returned  to  his  quarters  in  open  tri 
umph,  and  secret  scorn. 

Another  memorable  instance  of  his  eluding  the  ven 
geance  of  his  suspicious  court  occurred  in  1812.  He  had 
seized  the  neghbouring  Pasha  of  Delvino,  and  flung  him 
into  prison,  where  he  soon  died,  arid  it  was  presumed,  of 
hunger.  Ali  had  long  been  obnoxious  to  the  Porte,  and 
he  doubtless  felt  that  this  new  murder  would  not  be  for 
gotten  in  the  register  of  his  crimes.  His  expedient  to 
prove  himself  the  victim  of  evil  reports,  was  incompara 
ble.  Ibrahim  Pasha,  an  old  rival,  had  fallen  into  his 
hands,  and  after  some  time  had  disappeared.  Some  ob 
scure  circumstances,  made  the  report  of  his  murder 
universal.  Information  of  it  had  reached  the  Porte,  and 
even  the  French  Consul  had  sent  the  intelligence  by  a 
courier  to  Constantinople.  The  Porte  instantly  des 
patched  a  public  officer  to  Joannina,  commissioned  to 
make  inquiry  into  the  assassination,  and  probably,  as  is 
the  established  Turkish  custom,  to  bring  back  the  head 
of  the  offender.  On  his  arrival  and  introduction  to  Ali, 
the  Pasha  was  all  astonishment,  and  bade  the  officer 
follow  him.  He  led  the  way  to  an  inner  apartment, 
where  to  the  utter  surprise  of  the  Turk,  he  showed  him 
the  supposed  victim,  sitting  surrounded  by  oriental  lux 
ury,  in  the  midst  of  his  family.  Ali  now  triumphed  in 
his  turn.  The  refutation  of  all  previous  charges  was 


.  ,'        >•    •  '•    • 

*  GREEK  REVOLUTION.  437 

of  course  included  in  the  falsehood  of  this.  The  Ca- 
pidgi  Bashi  rpturned  to  Constantinople,  secured  by 
bribes,  and  carrying  with  him  the  means  of  confirming 
the  Pasha's  interest  at  court ;  and  Ali  was  more  firmly 
seated  than  ever  ! 

The  British  tdtirists  through  Greece  have  given  us  a 
more  familiar  knowledge  of  the  habits  and  resources  of 
this  extraordinary  man,  than  Europeans  had  hitherto 
obtained  of  any  of  the  Turkish  governors.  It  is  hon 
ourable  to  the  intelligent  curiosity  of  our  countrymen, 
that  they  alone  should  have,  through  all  the  opposing 
difficulties  of  distance,  the  ocean,  and,  more  formidable 
than  both,  the  war,  obtained  for  us  within  these  few  years 
a  more  complete  knowledge  of  Continental  Greece,  and 
its  sovereign,  than  had  been  acquired  by  the  whole  mul 
titude  of  the  French  and  German  literati,  military  offi 
cers,  or  diplomatists,  though  planted  on  the  very  fron 
tier  of  his  dominions,  embarked  in  public  relations  with 
his  government,  and  even  in  some  instances  resident  in 
his  capital.  How  little  do  we  know  even  now  of  the 
Turkish  governments  in  the  interior  ;  from  the  borders 
of  Hungary  to  the  Black  Sea  !  Paswan  Oglu  fought  the 
Porte  for  twenty  years  of  our  time,  and  the  sound  of 
the  cannon  of  Widdin  was  scarcely  beyond  the  ears  of 
the  Austrians,  yet  his  history  was  left  in  almost  the  ob 
scurity  of  an  Arabian  tale.  Even  of  the  half- Christian 
provinces  of  Moldavia  and  Waltachia,  constancy  as  they 
wore  the  seat  of  European  battle  and  diplomacy,,  and 
constantly  pervaded  by  French,  Russian,  and  German 
agents,  the  only  intelligible  account  has  been  given  a 
few  years  since,  and  that  by  an  Englishman.  Of  the 
vast  line  of  country  lying  on  a  parallel  from  the  western 
frontier  of  Turkish  Croatia  to  the  shores  of  the  Euxine,. 
including  Bosnia,  Servia,  and  Bulgaria,  we  are  almost 
totally  ignorant,  though  they  run  along  the  edge  of  the 
Austrian  kingdom  of  Hungary.  Of  the  whole  mighty 
mass  of  country  lying  to  the  southward  from  the  Dalma 
tian  frontier,  and  known  by  the  barbarous  names  of 
37* 


438  SKETCH  OF  THE 

Herzegovinia  and  Rumelia,  we  are  acquainted  with 
scarcely  more  than  a  few  miles  inward  from  the  Medit 
erranean.  To  the  Englishman,  distance,  loss  of  time, 
and  ignorance  of  the  language,  must  be  serious  obsta 
cles  to  the  inquiry.  To  the  German,  those  must  nearly 
vanish,  overlooking,  as  he  does,  the  immense  region  be 
low,  and  able,  by  his  various  faculties,  to  traverse  the 
whole  country  in  little  more  than  the  time  of  the  voy 
age  from  England.  It  is  impossible  to  doubt,  that  there 
must  be  found  in  this  huge  and  magnificent  territory  a 
vast  unopened  volume  of  human  nature — fine  qualities, 
however  crushed  by  suffering  and  situation  ;  curious 
pictures  of  superb  Oriental  caprice,  mingled  with  thje 
rugged  virtues  and  bold  defiance  of  the  dweller  among 
the  deserts — the  human  mind,  in  that  mingling  of  degra 
dation  and  nobleness,  which  characterizes  barbarian 
life — society,  under  that  strange  aspect  of  prodigal  lux 
uriance,  and  abject  privation,  that  belongs  to  the  do 
minion  of  the  Turk,  and  which,  whether  in  the  gold 
purple  of  the  Pasha,  or  the  nakedness  of  his  vassal, 
makes  one  of  the  most  striking  contemplations  of  the 
philosopher. 

Ali's  career  was  now  about  to  close. 

Without  penetrating  into  the  deeper  sources  of  the 
moral,  we  are  often  compelled  to  observe,  how  near  the 
complete  possession  of  human  objects  is  to  a  change  of 
prosperity.  A  Plutarch  would  have  given  this  pros 
perous  old  man  eloquently  down  to  us  as  the  parallel  to 
Croesus  or  Polycrates.  But  Ali  deserved  his  fall.  His 
career  had  been  one  continued  progress  of  perfidy  ; 
even  the  proverbial  treachery  of  the  Porte  had  been 
outrun  by  the  dexterous  duplicity  of  the  Greek  ;  yet 
while  his  genius  was  thus  engaged,  he  might  have  been 
almost  forgiven.  But  he  loved  blood.  His  havoc 
among  his  own  gallant  mountain  tribes  was  merciless  ; 
his  violation  of  all  treaties  with  their  remnant,  was 
worse  than  barbarian,  for  savage  life  does  not  reject  the 
principle  of  honour.  The  heart  of  all  but  a  tiger  in  hu-. 


GREEK   REVOLUTION.  439 

' 

man  shape  must  have  shrunk  at  the  sight  of  the  catas 
trophe  of  Zalongo,  where,  we  are  told,  that  a  crowd  of 
women  and  children  flying  from  the  ambush<into  which 
the  Suliot  exiles  had  been  betrayed,  and  finding  no  re 
source  but  death  from  the  insults  and  horrors  of  their 
pursuers,  the  mothers  first  flung  their  children  down 
the  rocks,  and  then  joining  hands,  and  screaming  out 
some  of  their  wild  songs,  whirled  round  and  round  in  a 
dance  of  despair  and  madness,  till  they  trod  on  the  edge 
of  the  precipice,  and  all  plunged  below. 

His  slaughter  of  the  Gardikiote  had  the  stern  and  re 
lentless  perseverance,  and  the  unsparing  execution  of  a 
spirit  of  darkness.  He  had  laid  up  his  resolution  of  ven 
geance  for  forty  years.  But  it  never  slept.  When  his 
time  of  power  came,  he  at  length  attacked  the  Gar- 
dikiotes  in  their  citadel.  They  defended  themselves 
like  men  who  had  no  alternative  but  victory  or  ex 
tinction  ;  but,  after  baffling  the  first  besiegers,  a  large 
force  was  poured  in,  which  carried  the  walls.  The 
greater  part  of  the  tribe  perished  sword  in  hand  ;  but 
their  conqueror's  vengeance  was  not  yet  glutted.  The 
prisoners  to  the  number  of  seven  or  eight  hundred, 
were  led  to  a  large  Khan  OQ  the  frontier  of  their  district. 
There  they  were  murdered.  Their  bodies  were  left 
above  ground,  and  the  gate  way  of  the  Khan,  their  sep 
ulchre,  was  walled  up,  with  the  inscription,  the  solemn 
Oriental  curse,  written  on  its  front. — "  Thus  perish  all 
the  enemies  of  Ali's  house  !''  Gardiki  itself  was  level 
ed  with  the  ground,  and  the  fierce  command  issued,  that 
"  it  should  never  again  become  the  place  of  human  be 
ings."  It  is  a  striking  evidence  of  the  love  of  gain, 
compatible  with  the  most  atrocious  cruelty,  that  in  the 
midst  of  this  sweeping  slaughter,  the  Pasha  seized  upon 
an  expedient  for  raising  money,  which  would  perhaps 
have  escaped  any  other  sagacity  th^n  his  own.  The 
Gardikiotes  had  extensive  commercial  dealings  with, 
Greece.  He  seized  their  books,  declared  himself  the 
general  representative  of  the  dead,  and  in  the  name  of 


440  SKETCH  OF  THE 

the  very  men  whose  bodies  were  reeking  under  his 
scymitar,  compelled  payment  of  the  money  due  to  them 
to  the  last  piastre.  In  1819,  Ali  made  his  final  acquisi 
tion  of  territory.  The  retreat  of  the  unfortunate  Par- 
giunotes  left  him  without  an  enemy  or  a  spoil.  He  was 
now  at  the  summit  of  his  ambition,  and  was  master  of 
Continental  Greece,  "  from  the  Attic  boundary  of  Par 
ries,  to  the  rugged  mountains  of  Illyricum."* 

The  obscure  rumours  of  a  despotic  court  assign  vari 
ous  causes  for  the  immediate  fall  of  this  formidable  chief 
tain.  But  his  notorious  assumption  of  ppwer,  was  suffi 
cient  to  have  numbered  him  among  those  offenders 
whom  the  Porte  marks  for  the  dagger.  Turkey  must 
see  with  bitterness  the  Ionian  Isles  torn  from  her  grasp, 
even  though  in  the  hands  of  her  most  honorable  ally. — 
The  open  intercouse  of  the  Pasha  with  the  government 
of  the  Isles,  and  the  knowledge,  that  in  the  event  of  a 
war  with  England,  he  would  instantly  sacrifice  his  alle 
giance  for  sovereignty  and  English  connexion,  might 
have  hurried  the  blow.  The  Sultan  Malimoud,  too,  is 
a  reformer  ;  and  the  state  of  the  European  provinces 
might  well  have  called  for  some  of  that  fierce  energy 
which  has  not  spared  even  the  troops  "of  his  capital. — 
But  the  immediate  cause  is  said  to  have  been  that  gree 
diness  for  gold  which  has  from  the  beginning  disgraced 
and  stimulated  the  Ottoman  sword. 

The  palace  of  Topeleni  had  been  burned  down, 
whether  by  accident,  or  by  the  more  probable  means  of 
some  attempt  at  plunder.  One  of  the  Pasha's  hoards 
was  discovered  in  the  ruins.  The  story  of  his  immense 
wealth,  of  itself  sure  to  bringdown  wrath  on  the  pos 
sessor,  was  urged  by  an  old  enemy,  Ishmahel  pasha,  at 
the  Seraglio.  Ali  had  grown  avaricious  with  age,  and 
perhaps  contemptuous  of  the  Sultan,  with  increased 
power.  He  had  diminished  the  amount  of  his  bribes, 
and  it  was  determined  in  the  Divan,  that  he  was  ripe 

*Hughes'  Travels. 


GREEK  REVOLUTION.  441 

for  the  bojiv -string.  AH  received  at  onee  the  double 
and  alarming  intelligence,  that  his  enemy  was  nomina 
ted  Capigi  Bashee,  or  Imperial  Messenger,  and  that  his 
second  son  Veli,\vas  removed  from  the  important  Pa- 
shalik  of  Thessaly  to  the  inferior  one  of  Lepanto.  AH 
was  now  seventy-eight,  but  he  had  lost  neither  his  early 
arts,  nor  his  early  activity.  His  first  step  was  to  send 
two  Albanian  horsemen  to  stop  the  Capigi's  mission. 
They  rode  up  to  his  door,  under  pretence  of  delivering 
a  letter,  and  as  he  came  to  the  window,  fired  at  and 
wounded  him.  They  were  hotly  pursued  :  one  was  ta 
ken  sixty  miles  from  Constantinople,  examined,  and  af 
ter  confessing  the  name  of  his  master,  was  hung  before 
the  Seraglio  gate.  The  Divan  instantly  issued  an  or 
der  for  Ali  to  attend  before  "  the  golden  threshold  of 
the  gate  of  Felicity,  within  forty  days,  on  pain  of  the 
wrath  of  the  Brother  of  the  Sun  and  Moon,  and  Light 
of  all  the  princes  of  the  earth."  A  curse  of  excommu 
nication  was  pronounced  by  the  Mufti,  and  the  more  ef 
fective  instrument  of  an  army  was  set  in  motion,  with 
Ismael  Pasha  at  its  head,  declared  Pasha  of  Joannina  ! 

The  old  tyrant  now  felt  retribution  coming  on  him  in 
a  flood.  At  another  time  of  life,  he  might  have  easily 
broken  the  attack  even  in  Constantinople.  But  ava 
rice  had  extinguished  his  prudence  ;  and  it  had  even  en 
feebled  the  haughty  courage  of  the  famous  chieftain  of 
the  Albanians.  He  wavered  in  his  declaration  of  open 
war,  and  was  undone.  A  variety  of  bold  schemes  cros 
sed  his  mind,  and  he  was  said  to  have  been  once  on  the 
point  of  calling  himself  a  Christain,  taking  the  title  of 
King  of  Greece,  and  summoning  all  the  tribes  to  the  ren 
ovation  of  their  old  glorious  name. 

Yet  he  had  the  means  of  resistance  which  might  have 
encouraged  a  less  sanguine  spirit  to  defy  the  feeble  and 
tardy  power  of  the  Porte.  He  had  no  less  than  twenty- 
five  fortresses  equipped  and  garrisoned.  He  had  se 
venteen  thousand  of  the  bravest  soldiers  of  the  empire 
in  the  field,  and  one  of  the  most  difficult  countries  of  the 


442  SKETCH  OF  THE 

world  for  his  grand  fortification.  The  defeats  of  the 
Ottoman  troops  in  their  advances  through  the  defiles  of 
the  Pashalik,  during  the  six  years  of  war  since,  have 
showed  how  formidable  must  have  been  their  defence 
with  a  gallant  and  native  army  to  guard  them.  But  the 
cruelty  and  perfidy  of  the  Pasha  had  alienated  all  his 
people  ;  the  "true  honor,  and  troops  of  friends,"  were 
not  to  be  found  in  the  circle  of  his  hazardous  and  pollu 
ted  councils.  As  the  Turkish  armies  ascended  through 
the  passes,  all  resistance  melted  away,  like  the  snow  un 
der  their  feet  ;  the  Albanians,  instead  of  defending  their 
mountain  ramparts,  where  a  few  hundred  men  might 
have  given  over  the  whole  Turkish  hosts  to  the  wolves 
and  vultures,  came  down  and  joined  them.  Omer  Bri- 
oni,  the  favorite  officer  of  Ali,  carried  over  his  whole 
division  to  the  enemy.  The  towns  opened  their  gates, 
even  his  own  family  fled  or  surrendered,  and  Ali  saw 
himself,  without  a  shot  being  fired,  reduced  to  the  soli 
tary  fortress  of  Joannina. 

Still  he  retrained  the  means  bf  making  a  desperate 
and  even  a  successful  resistance.  The  castle  and  for 
tress  mounted  two  hundred  and  fifty  pieces  of  cannon  ; 
it  was  garrisoned  by  eight  thousand  Albanians,  and  pro 
visioned  for  four  years.  The  lake  on  which  it  stood 
was  an  additional  entrenchment,  and  it  was  secured  by 
a  squadron  of  gunboats.  But  the  war  was  now  pressing 
close  upon  him,  and  he  had  the  mortification  of  seeing 
his  city  of  Joannina  pillaged  and  set  in  a  blaze  under  his 
eyes.  He  had  the  still  keener  mortification  of  hearing 
the  shouts  of  the  Ottoman  army  for  his  old  enemy  Jsma- 
el,  as,  on  the  20th  of  August,  1820,  he  rode  into  the 
city  yet  burning,  and  was  proclaimed  Pasha  !  Ali  furi 
ously  answered  the  proclamation  by  a  heavy  fire  from 
all  his  cannon. 

Of  all  warlike  nations,  the  Turks  are  the  feeblest  in 
the  attack  of  fortified  places.  But,  for  the  destruction 
of  a  rival,  the  new  Pashn  urged  his  troops  to  extraordin 
ary  vigour,  and  before  the  winter,  upwards  of  five  thou- 


GREEK  REVOLUTION.  443 

sand  bombs  had  been  thrown  into  the  place.  Disaffec 
tion,  and  ihe  habitual  fickleness  of  the  Greek  soldiery, 
were,  now,  however  working  for  the  besieged.  The 
levies  retired  to  the  hills,  or  quarrelled  in  the  camp  ; 
winter  set  in  and  the  passes  became  impervious  through 
snow,  or  were  blocked  up  by  Odysseus,  that  bold  but 
dubious  partizan  who  has  since  figured  so  largely  in  the 
patriotic  war. 

If  All,  in  these  hours  of  his  fate,  was  gratified  by  the 
fall  of  a  puissant  enemy,  the  Porte  indulged  him  with  it  in 
the  dismissal  and  disgrace  of  Ismael  Pasha.  Despotism 
aad  democracy  meet  in  their  revenge  on  the  unlucky  ; 
and  the  only  distinction  between  Constantinople  and  re 
publican  Paris,  was  that  the  defeated  general  of  the 
Turk  sometimes  escaped  with  life  ;  guillotine  was  more 
prompt  and  unfailing.  The  delays  of  the  seige  of Joan- 
nina  had  overthrown  Ismael's  credit  at  court ;  and 
Kourchid  Pasha  was  ordered  to  take  upon  him  the  des 
perate  enterprise  of  reducing  the  "  Old  Lion,'1  as  AH 
was  termed  with  scarcely  Oriental  exaggeration. 

But  this  den  was  not  to  be  entered  by  such  hunters  as 
could  be  found  within  the  dominions  of  the  Turk,  and 
the  war  lingered  through  the  greater  part  of  1821. — 
But  an  accident  accomplished  what  might  have  been 
hopeless  to  force.  In  July,  a  fire  had  broke  out  in  the 
castle  of  Joannina.  It  had  spread  to  the  magazines  of 
provision  ;  and  in  a  wasted  country,  and  in  the  pres 
ence  of  the  enemy,  the  loss  was  irreparable.  Kourchid 
Pasha  returned  with  a  large  additional  force,  and  in  No 
vember  it  was  announced  that  all  was  ready  for  the  as 
sault.  The  failure  of  provisions,  and  the  evidence  of 
increased  activity  in  the  besiegers,  disheartened  the  gar 
rison,  who  now  saw  no  prospect  but  of  dying  by  famine 
or  the  Turkish  artillery.  Desertion  took  place,  and  the 
garrison  was  soon  reduced  to  six  hundred  men.  A  still 
more  alarming  omen  occurred,  in  the  desertion  of  the 
chief  engineer,  Baretta,  a  Neapolitan,  who  increased 
the  value  of  his  treachery  by  directing  the  guns  of  the 


444  SKETCH   OF  THE 

besiegers  to  the  more  vulnerable  points  of  the  castle. 
The  island  of  the  lake  was  soon  after  seized  by  a  Turk 
ish  flotilla.  Kourchid,  now  in  sight  of  triumph,  and 
stimulated  by  the  immense  wealth  still  buried  in  the 
fortress,  pressed  the  siege  with  fierce  vigour,  until  Ali 
was  forced  to  abandon  all  the  lower  fortress,  and  shut 
himself  up  in  the  citadel  with  but  sixty  soldiers.  Still 
the  great  prize  of  the  war  eluded  the  grasp  of  the  Otto 
man  general.  The  countless  gold  of  the  "  Old  Lion" 
was  in  the  citadel,  covered  with  barrels  of  gunpowder, 
and  the  whole  treasures,  castle  and  besiegers,  might 
have  been  blown  into  the  air  at  the  moment  of  the 
storm.  Ali's  character,  old  as  he  was,  forbade  the  idea 
that,  if  he  were  pressed,  he  would  die,  but  sword  in  hand 
and  in  the  midst  of  some  fierce  act  of  revenge.  Kour 
chid  shrank  from  this  extremity,  ordered  the  assault  to 
be  stayed,  and  tried  the  slower,  but  not  less  fatal,  way 
ofnegotiation. 

The  last  hours  of  Ali  have  been  variously  narrated  ; 
but  the  most  authentic  account  is  thus  ^iveh  by  Mr. 
Waddington,  as  the  "  Official  Statement  of  the  Turkish 
Secretary  of  State  to  the  British  Minister,  Lord  Strang- 
ford.'1  ft  is  worth  preserving,  even  as  a  curious  in 
stance  of  a  Turkish  state  paper. 

u  Kourchid  Pasha  sent  his  Silikdar  to  Ali  to  propose 
to  him  to  surrender  at  discretion  ;  to  restore  that  part 
of  the  citadel  which  he  possessed,  and  to  consign  his 
treasures  to  this  officer ;  for  such  appeared,  in  the  ex 
tremity  to  which  he  was  reduced,  the  only  rationaj  de 
termination  for  him  to  adopt.  He  added,  that  he  knew 
that  a  report  had  been  spread,  that  Ali  had  resolved  in 
case  he  should  be  thrown  into  despair,  to  set  fire  to  the 
powder  and  blow  up  himself,  his  treasures,  and  all  those 
who  surround  him  ;  but  that  his  threat  did  riot  frighten 
him,  and  that  if  Ali  did  not  decide  immediately,  he 
would  come  himself  and  apply  the  torch.  Ali  Pasha 
replied  to  the  Silikdar,  that  he  was  well  assured  that,  in 


GREEK    REVOLUTION.  .    445 

his  situation,  there  was  no  other  choice,  and  that  he 
was  determined  to  surrender  as  soon  as  he  should  be  as 
sured  of  his  life. 

"  The  Silikdar  undertook  to  carry  his  answer  to  his 
master  ;  and  returned  soon  afterwards  to  inform  him, 
in  the  name  of  Kourchid  Pasha,  that  the  fulfilment  of 
his  request  depended  exclusively  on  the  Sultan* ;  that 
the  Pasha  would  willingly  give  him  his  good  offices  with 
his  Highness  ;  hut  that  he  could  not  do  it  with  any 
hope  of  Success,  unless  Ali  should  previously  deliver  up 
ail  he  possessed  ;  that  he  proposed  to  hirn,  consequent 
ly,  to  effect  the  surrender  of  the  fort,  the  treasures,  of 
the  stores,  &c.  &c.  and  to  retire  and  await  the  arrival 
of  the  resolution  of  the  Sultan  in  the  small  island  ou 
the  lake  near  the  citadel. 

"Ali  Pasha  asked  time  at  first  to  reflect  on  the  de 
cision  which  he  should  make.  At  last,  after  several 
conversations  with  the  Silikdar,  he  consented  to  leave 
the  citadel  ;  and  he  retired  into  the  island  with  all  his 
little  troop,  with  the  exception  of  one  of  his  trusty 
friends,  with  whom  he  agreed  on  a  signal,  which  would 
instruct  him  whether  he  was  to  set  fire  to  the  powder, 
or  give  up  all  that  was  intrusted  to  his  care  to  the  officers 
of  Kourchid  Pasha. 

"  The  Silikdar  received  Ali  Pasha  in  the  island  at 
the  head  of  an  equal  number  of  men  with  that  which  ac 
companied  the  vizier.  They  paid  him  all  the  honor 
due  to  his  rank  ;  and,  after  having  been  treated  for 
several  days  by  Kourchid  Pasha  with  the  greatest  res 
pect,  Ali  had  confidence  enough  to  order  the  surrender 
of  all  that  he  had  left  in  the  citadel.  They  immediate 
ly  made  haste  to  transport  the  powder  into  a  place  of 
safety. 

•;  Directly  afterwards,  Ali  Pasha  requested,  that  one 
of  his  officers,  who  commanded  a  small  party  of  a  hun 
dred  men  in  the  environs  of  Joannina,  might  be  per 
mitted  to  join  him  in  the  island.  Kourchid  Pasha  con 
sented  to  this,  but  sent  at  the  same  time  a  detachment, 
38 


446  SKETCH  OF  THE 

composed  of  an  equal  number  of  men,  to  keep  All's 
troops  in  awe. 

"  Different  Pashas  of  inferior  rank  had  been  several 
times  to  visit  Ali.  On  the  13th  day  of  the  moon  Dje- 
mazial  Avvwel,  (the  5th  of  February,)  Mohammed  Pa 
sha,  governor  of  the  Morea,  offered  to  procure  for  AH 
every-possible  comfort,  naming  particularly  provisions. 
Ali  replied  to  this  offer,  that  he  desired  nothing  more 
than  a  supply  of  meat  ;  he  added,  however,  that  he  had 
still  another  wish,  though  his  unwillingness  to  offend 
the  scruples  of  religion  forbade  him  to  give  utterance  to 
it.  Being  pressed  to  name  it,  he  owned  that  it  was 
wine  thathe  wished  for,  and  Mohammed  Pasha  promised 
that  he  should  receive  it.  The  conversation  continued 
for  some  time  in  the  most  friendly  manner,  till  at  last 
Mohammed  Pasha  rose  to  take  leave.  Being  of  the 
same  rank,  they  rose  at  the  same  moment  from  the  sofa, 
according  to  the  usual  ceremony  ;  and,  before  leaving 
the  room,  Mohammed  Pasha  bowed  profoundly.  Ali 
returned  the  compliment  : — but  at  the  instant  of  his  in 
clination,  Mohammed  executed  the  will  of  his  sove 
reign  !  and  put  him  to  death,  by  plunging  a  poinard  into 
his  left  breast.  He  immediately  quitted  the  apartment, 
and  announced  that  Ali  had  ceased  to  exist.  Some 
men  of  Mohammed's  suite  then  entered,  and  divided  the 
head  from  the  body.  The  former  having  been  shown 
to  the  Sultan's  troops,  as  well  as  to  those  who  had  em 
braced  the  rebel's  part,  a  strife  followed,  in  which  seve 
ral  men  were  killed.  But  the  minds  of  the  people  were 
soon  calmed,  and  all  discord  was  appeased  by  shouts  of 
"  Long  live  Sultan  Mahrnoud,  and  his  Vizer  Kourchid 
Pasha  !" 

Thus  perished  Ali,  by  an  act  of  the  basest  treachery, 
not  palliated  by  even  any  supposed  necessity,  but  exe 
cuted  in  the  mere  savage  love  of  craft  and  murder,  that 
makes,  and  has  always  made  the  passion  of  the  Turk, 
The  conquest  was  already  secure — the  old  man  was  on 
the  verge  of  the  grave — the  separation  of  his  revolt 


GREEK  REVOLUTION.  447 

from  the  general  Greek  cause  had  long  been  complete. 
But  no  triumph  gratifies  the  Turk  in  which  he  cannot 
dip  his  perfidious  dagger.  It  must  be  an  indulgence  to 
every  feeling  of  honour  and  humanity,  that  this  infa 
mous  act  produced  nothing  but  the  fruits  of  disappoint 
ment.  The  treasures  were  wasted  on  the  subsequent 
disastrous  campaigns  of  the  Ottoman  ;  they  may  have 
even  tempted  the  Divan  into  those  precipitate  campaigns 
which  sacrificed  so  many  thousand  Turks  in  the  great 
defiles  between  Eastern  and  Western  Greece.  The 
Pushalik  of  Joannina  was  scarcely  more  Turkish  in 
the  hands  of  Omer  Vrionis,  the  new  Albanian  Pasha. 
The  Divan  actually  lost  in  Ali  the  man,  who  of  all  oth 
ers,  if  reconciled  to  the  Porte,  would  have  been  the  most 
effectual  guard  of  Western  Hellas  against  the  insurrec 
tion  ;  and  the  only  return  for  all  the  sacrifices,  was  the 
barbarian  joy  of  seeing  (February  1822)  the  head  of  an 
old  man  of  eighty  blackening  over  the  gate  of  that  Acel- 
dema,  the  Seraglio. 

In  this  conception  we  are  strengthened  by  the  testi 
mony  of  that  intelligent  observer  Col.  Leake,  who  re 
marks,  "  that  though  Ali  may  have  thwarted  all  those 
measures  of  the  Porte  which  tended  to  reduce  his  au 
thority,  and  in  general  those  which  did  not  originate 
with  himself,  or  transmitted  a  larger  sum  to  Constanti 
nople,  in  the  shape  of  presents  to  persons  in  power,  than 
in  that  of  tribute  to  the  imperial  treasury  ;  and,  in  the 
latter  respect,  he  ma}1  never  have  sent  as  much  as 
would  satisfy  the  wishes  of  government,  nevertheles,  it 
is  probable,  that  the  Porte,  during  his  reign,  was  more 
truly  master  of  Greece  than  it  had  ever  been  before; 
and  that  it  derived,  upon  the  whole,  as  much  revenue 
from  the  country.  While  it  is  certain,  that  by  leaving 
Ali  to  oppose  the  armed  Greeks  to  one  another,  and  to 
suppress  the  spirit  of  revolt  by  the  military  strength  of 
Albania,  it  most  effectually  secured  itself  against  the 
bad  consequences  of  foreign  intrigues  among  the  Chris 
tian  subjects  of  European  Turkey  :  that  the  concentra- 


448  SKETCH  OF  THE 

tion  of  power  in  All's  hands  was  the  best  protection 
which  the  empire  could  possess  on  a  frontier,  where  it 
was  at  one  time  endangered  by  the  power  of  France, 
not  less  than  the  north-eastern  side  was  menaced  by  the 
encroachments  of  Russia.  Affairs,  in  fact,  became  less 
favorable  to  the  future  influence  of  the  Porte  after  his 
fall,  than  they  had  been  under  Ali,  or  than  they  would 
have  been  under  the  g@vernmentof  his  sons." 

The  death  of  Ali  had  been  preceded  by  that  of  his 
sons.  They  had  strangely  given  themselves  up  to  the 
Turks  at  an  early  part  of  the  contest,  under  promise  of 
personal  safety.  Ali  heard  of  this  feeble  act  with,  as 
may  be  presumed,  a  burst  of  scorn  and  indignation  ; 
and,  declaring  that  they  were  unworthy  of  him,  pro 
nounced  his  soldiers  to  be  "  thenceforth  his  only  chil 
dren."  The  captives  were  taken  to  Asia,  and  iixed  in 
temporary  governments,  probably  with  some  expecta 
tion  that  they  might  influence  their  father's  war.  But 
the  imperial  dagger  thirsted  for  their  blood  ;  and  in  a 
few  months,  under  pretence  of  carrying  on  a  corres 
pondence  with  the  Pasha,  they  were  murdered. 

This  man's  career  arrests  the  eye  from  its  vividness, 
singularity,  and  success — from  its  bringing  into  the 
regulated  and  formal  presence  of  our  latter  age,  the 
barbaric  pomp,  eccentrick  grandeur,  and  fearful  and 
precipitous  catastrophes  of  the  feudal  times, — and  last 
and  most  striking,  from  its  being  the  summoner  to  the 
great  insurrection  which  is  now  shaking  the  throne  of 
the  Sultan.  If  the  Greek  war  can  be  traced  to  the  in 
fluence  or  act  of  man,  the  trumpet  that  called  its  spirit 
from  the  tomb  was  the  lips  of  Ali. 

But  the  more  remote  causes  are  worthy  of  memory. 
In  the  latter  half  of  the  eighteenth  century,  the  Greek 
islanders,  and  the  other  nations  bordering  on  the  Medi 
terranean  and  black  Sea,  had  been  led  to  engage  in 
commerce  to  a  considerable  extent.  The  advance  of 
the  Russians  on  the  north-east,  and  their  zealous  pat 
ronage  of  the  Greek  merchants,  had  excited  a  strong 


GREEK  REVOLUTION  449^ 

inclination  to  those  pursuits  of  which  commerce  is  the 
parent.  The  knowledge  of  modern  languages,  general 
literature,  and  an  acquaintance  with  the  policy  of  the 
leading  countries  of  Europe,  were  rapidly  making  way 
among  the  hitherto  fettered  and  ignorant  minds  of  the 
Greek  population. 

It  has  been  providentially  decreed,  that,  of  all  the 
stimulants  to  freedom,  the  most  energetic,  as  the  no- 
hlest,  should  be  the  enlightening  of  the  public  mind. 
The  Greek  advanced,  the  Turk  was  stationary.  The 
Greek  youth  were  studying  in  the  foreign  universities, 
or  travelling  through  the  continent,  or  mingling  in  the 
active  and  engrossing  concerns  of  political  life  in  Aus 
tria,  Russia,  and  more  than  either,  in  France,  in  her 
hour  of  dazzling  and  storm  excitement ;  while  the  op 
ulent  Turkish  youth  were  enervating  their  understand 
ings  in  the  listless  and  licentious  round  of  the  most  self- 
indulgent  life  on  the  globe.  Some  of  the  most  enter 
prising  foreign  officers  were  Greek, — some  of  the  most 
dexterous  diplomatists,  particularly  of  Russia,  were 
Greek, — some  of  the  most  extensive  commercial  hous 
es  Germany  were  Greek, — and  it  is  to  be  recorded,  as 
a  striking  proof  of  how  much  the  vices  of  the  national 
character  are  due  to  the  national  misfortunes,  that  the 
Greek  Houses  were  proverbial  for  honourable  dealing. 
In  the  universities,  the  Greek  students  were  remarka 
ble  for  acuteness  and  brilliant  facility  of  acquirement, 
and  scarcely  less  for  that  comeliness  of  countenance 
and  form,  which  seem  equally  the  stamp  of  nature  on 
the  ancient  land  of  genius  and  beauty. 

The  return  of  those  classes  of  intelligent  and  manly 
minds  to  their  fallen  country,  must  have  filled  them 
with  indignation.  The  utter  ignorance  of  the  Turk — 
his  savage  ferocity  and  brutal  arrogance  must  have 
made  their  souls  burn  within  them.  The  time  was  of 
itself  pregnant  with  thoughts  of  illustrious  change.  It 
is  remarkable  that  the  first  open  attempt  at  awaking  the 
Greek  nation  to  a  sense  of  their  slavery,  was  almost  sir 
38* 


450  SKETCH  OF  THE  v 

multaneous  with  the  commencm^nt  of  the  French 
Revolution,  when  it  Wa'%  still  comparatively  fruitless, 
and  France  and  Europe  were  alike  dazzled  by  the  ris 
ing  splendours  of  that  flame  which  was  harmlessly  to 
consume  all  abuses  of'kings,  and  all  injuries  of  nations, 
but  which  so  soon  turned  into  resistless  and  fatal  confla 
gration.  •  ' 

In  all  the  great  public  changes,  there  must  be  a  mul 
titude  of  strong  circumstances,  to  each  o/  which  men 
will  attribute  the  origin  .of  the  change, .according  to 
their  opportunities  of  judging. — There  is  no  instance  of 
a  great  catastrophe  originating  in  a  single  motive,  nor 
in  one  individual.  The  mighty  stream  which  is  to  de 
vastate  or  revive  the^prosperity  of  empires,  is  net  to  be 
fed  from  a  solitary  fountain.  Yet  if  among  the  earliest 
sources  of  the  Greek  struggle,  we  should  fix  upon  the 
efforts  of  one  man,  that  one  would  be  the  celebrated 
Rhiga. 

The  man's  character,  acquirements,  and   pursuits, 
comprehended,  by  a  striking  coincidence,  those  of  all 
the  classes  to  which  have  been  attributed  in  these  pages 
the    final   outbreak   of    the   insurrection.     He  was  a 
merchant,   a  philosopher,  and  a  poet.     His  personal 
hazards,  and  the  fearless  intrepidity  with  which  he  en 
countered  them  in  his  noble  course,  showed  what  he 
might  have  been  at  the  head  of  his  army.     Rhiga  was 
a  Thessalian,  born  in  1760;  he  travelled  in  his  youth, 
and  completed  his    education  in  various  countries  of 
Europe.     He  finally    became  a  merchant ;  and  from 
his  connexion  with  German  houses,  took  up  his  resi 
dence  in  Vienna.     There  he  devoted  the  chief  part  of 
his  leisure  and  his  wealth  to  the  revival  of  literature  in 
Greece.     He   made,  with  the  assistance  of  some  sci 
entific  men,  a  map  of  Greece  on  a  large  scale,  which  is 
to  this  day  looked  as  the  most  valuable,   and   which, 
when  we  consider  the  extreme  suspiciousness  and  diffi 
culty  of  the  undertaking  in  a  conntry  freely  traversed 
only  by  robbers,  and  domineered  over  by  the  Turk,  is 


.     •     'GREEK  REVOLUTION.  451 

a  wonder  of  perseveijance,  ability*  and  zeal.  He  form 
ed  a  literary  union  of  the  raos^in'telltgent  of  his  coun 
trymen  residing  in  Vienna  ;  and  in  combination  with 
them,  translated  info  the  Romaic^some  of  the  chief 
modern  works  which  touched  on  the  antiquities  the 
original  fame,  and  the  opening  prospects  of  their  coun 
try.  But  his  highest  service  was  one  which  he  shared 
with  no  associate — the  composition  of  a  number  of 
empassioned  poems  and  songs  adapted  to  national  mu 
sic,  and  which.are  surfg  to  this  f  day. — It  was  almost  a 
crowning  honor  due  to  this  brave  and  brilliant  mind, 
that  it  should  become  an  object  of  the  fiercest  wrath  to 
the  Ottoman,  and  that  Rhiga  should  perish  the  martyr 
of  liberty,  as  he  had  lived  the  hero^and  the  bard.  But 
it  is  to  the  endless  dishonour  of  a  Christian  court,  that 
he  should  have  been  delivered  into  the  hands  of  the 
barbarians.  The  Turkish  envoy  at  Vienna  was  order 
ed  formally  to  demand  him  as  a  subject  of  the  Porte. 
The  demand  was  nominally  refused;  But  Rhiga  was 
privately  enjoined  to  quit  the  city.  There  may  be 
some  palliation  for  this  act,  discoverable  in  the  mena 
cing  nature  of  the  time.  It  was  in  1792.  The 
French  Revolution  was  already  turning  to  that  aspect  of 
ferocity  and  blood  which  deepened  hour  by  hour  until 
it  threatened  the  existence  of  civilized  society.  The 
phenomenon  which  in  its  rise  might  have  been  hailed 
by  the  philosopher  and  the  philanthropist  as  the  omen  of 
new  productiveness  and  beneficent  splendour,  had  sud 
denly  assumed  a  broader  disk,  and  seemed  rushing  down 
with  augmented  fires  to  wrap  the  world  in  conflagra 
tion. 

The  seizure  of  the  Royal  Family  of  France,  under 
the  pretext  of  their  liberty,  surrounded  the  name  with 
terror  and  suspicion  ;  and  the  songs  of  Rhiga  for  the 
freedom  of  his  aggrieved  country,  startled  the  Austrian 
ministers  as  the  echo  of  French  Jacobinism.  He 
was  finally  compelled  to  leave  Vienna  ;  and  from  that 
period  his  fate  is  obscure.  But  it  is  certain  that  he  per- 


452  SKETCH  OF  THE 

ished  by  a  premature  and  violent  death.  Whether  by 
compulsion  or  treachery,  he  took  his  way  towards  the 
Danube.  It  has  been  said,  that  he  was  about  to  pass 
that  river,  he  and  his  little  escort  of  friends  were  pur 
sued  by  a  troop  of  Turkish  cavalry  ;  that  they  fought, 
and  after  a  long  resistance,  finding  that  escape  was  im 
possible,  struck  their  daggers  into  each  others  bosoms. 
Another  and  more  probable  statement  is,  that  Rhiga 
was  arrested  by  the  Turkish  authorities,  and  carried  to 
wards  Constantinople  ;  that  on  the  way,  an  order  was 
received  to  put  him  to  death,  and  that  he  was  thus  base 
ly  and  cruelly  murdered. 

But  his  spirit  lived  in  his  songs ;  and  the  modern 
Myrtasus — a  name  given  to  him  by  his  countrymen — a 
name  itself  a  glorious  monument — has  sharpened  many 
a  sword  against  the  national  oppressor.  His  "  Confed 
eration  of  Seven,"  formed  from  the  more  zealous  of 
his  associates,  was  the  first  effort  of  combined  council 
in  the  cause,  and  has  probably  served  as  the  model  for 
nil  that  have  followed. 

The  next  burst  of  light  came  from  the  north. — Rus 
sia  had  been  the  old  protector  of  the  fugitive  Greeks,  as 
instruments  of  that  future  conquest  which  has  haunted 
her  dreams  since  the  days  of  the  first  Peter.  Mauro- 
kordato,  one  of  the  exiled  Hospodars  of  Moldavia, 
formed  in  1 802  the  plan  of  a  Greek  Association.  Its 
ostensible  object  was  the  general  instruction  and  liter 
ary  advancement  of  Greece.  But  the  ground  on 
which  he  stood  must  have  filled  his  eye  with  projects  of 
a  bolder  ambition.  The  hope  of  conciliating  his  pow 
erful  protector,  personal  aggrandizement,  and  the 
growing  passion  of  his  country  for  its  independence,  all 
lay  in  the  prospect  beneath  the  exile's  feet  ;  and  nei 
ther  his  penetration  nor  his  principles  were  of  a  nature 
to  shrink  from  the  deepest  result  of  his  enterprize. — 
But  in  1814,  death  broke  up  his  plans,  and  the  associa 
tion  seemed  to  have  withered  away. 


GREEK  REVOLUTION,  453 

It  is  with  the  liberty  of  nations  as  with  the  day  ;  its 
first  advances  are  scarcely  distinguished  from  the  night ; 
even  the  lights  of  the  darkness  must  perish  before  the 
true  morning — the  stars  must  never  fade  before  sun 
rise.  Maurokordato  was  scarcely  in  his  grave  when  a 
new  confederation  started  into  shape  and  vigor.  The 
success  of  German  secret  unions,  formed  towards  the 
close  of  the  French  war,  had  excited  the  Greeks  resi 
dent  in  Germany  and  the  north.  The  enthusiastic  and 
mysterious  tone  of  this  warlike  free-masonry  accorded 
with  the  Greek  imagination  ;  and  the  oath  of  the  con 
federacy  was  an  extraordinary  compound  of  aspirations 
after  political  change  and  personal  morality,  solemn 
principles  of  government,  and  fantastic  ideology.  The 
"  oath*"  declared,  in  the  presence  of  the  true  God,  that 
the  associate  would  never  betray  its  secrets,  nor  ever 
acknowledge  to  acquaintance  or  friend  a  knowledge  of 
them.  •  That  he  would  nourish  in  his  heart  an  irrecon 
cilable  hostility  to  the  tyrants  of  Greece — that  he 
would  ever  be  a  virtuous  man  ;  tolerate  in  religious 
matters  ;  the  counsellor  of  the  ignorant  ;  the  support 
er  of  the  feeble  ;  the  healer  of  the  sick  ;  the  general 
reverencer  of  the  tribunals  and  goverment  of  the  coun 
try  in  which  he  lived — that  he  would  increase  the  soci 
ety  by  all  obvious  means,  &c.  ;  and,  finally,  that,  "  by 
his  sacred  and  suffering  country,  her  long  endured  tor 
tures,  the  bitter  tears  shed  (Juring  so  many  hundred 
years,  and  the  future  liberty  of  Greece,  that  he  conse 
crated  himself  wholly  to  her  service  ;  her  honor  to  be 
henceforth  the  front  of  his  thoughts,  her  glory  the  im 
pulse  of  his  enterprize,  arid  her  triumph  the  reward  of 
his  toils  and  his  blood." 

This  singular  oath  was  accompanied  by  the  customa 
ry  symbols  of  the  German  Secret  Asssociations  ;  pri 
vate  signs  of  mutual  recognition  ;  cyphers  for  their 
correspondence,  and  others  of  the  frivolous  yet  suspi 
cious  formalities  of  these  assemblages  which  may  be  so 
easily  turned  to  the  purposes  of  public  disturbance.  A 


454  SKETCH  OF  THE 

general  fund  was  established,  and  deposited  in  the 
hands  of  Greek  houses  in  the  Crimea — agents  were  des 
patched  through  Europe,  and  particularly  through 
Greece;  but  it  was  obvious  from  the  position  of  the 
Etairist  Committee,  and  the  location  of  their  fund,  that 
Russia  was  felt  to  be  the  grert  support,  and  that  it  was 
from  the  Russian  frontier  that  the  torch  was  to  be  flung, 
which  was  to  set  the  Greek  discontents  in  an  inextin 
guishable  blaze. 

In  this  state  of  things,  an  insurrection  commenced  in 
182Q,  in  Wallachia,  under  the  direction  of  Theodore,  a 
native  of  the  province,  who  put  himself  at  the  head  of 
sixty  or  seventy  adventurers,  and  proclaimed  liberty  to 
Wallachia.  The  flame  caught  so  rapidly,  that  in  a  short 
time  Theodore  found  himself  at  the  head  of  about  fif 
teen  hundred  men.  The  spirit  spread  into  the  adjoin 
ing  provinces,  and  in  the  month  of  March,  the  gallant 
Greek  Ypsilanti,  who  sprang  from  an  illustrious  line  of 
Grecian  ancestors,  proclaimed  liberty  to  Moldavia. — 
The  people  rose  in  arms,  flocked  in  crowds  to  his  stand 
ard,  and  marched  to  Wallachia,  to  support  their  breth 
ren.  At  the  same  time  another  insurrection  commen 
ced  in  Moldavia,  at  Galatz,  on  the  Danube,  and  the  pa- 
triots  marched  to  support  Ypsilanti. 

The  Sublime  Porte  took  the  alarm,  and  threatened 
a  general  massacre  of  the  Greeks  at  Constantinople,  in 
order  to  overawe  the  insurrection. 

Such  was  the  spirit  of  the  Greeks,  that  before  the 
month  of  March,  1821,  had  terminated,  an  insurrection 
had  commenced  in  the  Morea  ;  and  Germanus,  Arch- 
Bishop  of  Patras,  put  himself  at  the  head  of  about 
3,000  patriots,  who  drove  the  Turks  into  the  citadel  of 
Patras. 

The  Senate  of  Calamata  assembled  at  the  same  time, 
and  issued  their  proclamation  to  their  countrymen,  cal 
ling  upon  them  to  rise  in  the  majesty  of  themselves,  and 
protect  the  cause  ;  also  upon  the  Turks,  promising 
them  p.eace  and  safety,  provided  they  would  remain 


GREEK  REVOLUTION.  455 

tranquil.  They  also  addressed  foreign  nations  in  justi 
fication  of  their  views  and  measures,  and  called  upon 
them  to  lend  their  aid  in  support  of  suffering  humanity, 
struggling  in  defence  of  her  dearest  rights. 

At  this  eventful  moment,  Jussuf  Selim,  Lieut,  of 
Churshid,  Pasha  of  the  Morea,  commenced  an  attack 
upon  Patras,  carried  it  by  assault,  and  put  to  the  sword 
about  800  Greeks,  of  all  ages,  and  both  sexes.  This 
roused  the  Greeks  to  the  contest,  and  Gregory,  a  monk, 
like  Peter,  the  hermit,  of  old,  erected  the  standard  of 
the  cross,  and  rallied  his  countrymen  to  the  contest- — 
In  a  few  days  he  assembled  at  Corinth  several  thousand 
men. 

The  principal  Islands  of  Greece  caught  the  flame, 
and  roused  to  the  contest,  with  their  fleets  and  priva 
teers  ;  and  even  Novlina,  a  heroine,  to  revenge  the 
death  of  her  husband,  who  had  been  murdered  by  the 
Turks,  fitted  out  three  vessels  at  her  own  expense,  and 
took  the  command  in  person.  This  zeal  upon  the  wa 
ter  gave  a  general  support  to  the  patriot  cause. 

Pending  these  movements  in  Greece,  the  Emperor  of 
Russia,  by  his  influence,  effected  a  counter-revolution 
in  Wallaehia  and  Moldavia,  and  the  insurrection  was 
crushed  in  those  provinces. 


CHAPTER  II 

General  Operations  Continued. 
SUMiMARY  VIEW. 

About  the  1st  of  April,  1 821 ,  the  Turks  at  Constant^ 
nople  clamored  against  the  government,  and  caused  the1' 
Grand  Vizier  to  be  displaced  ;  and- the  mob  put  to  death 


456 


SKETCH  OF    THE 


Gregory,  the  Patriarch  of  the  Greek  Church,  because 
he  had  not  suppressed  the  insurrection  in  the  Morea, 
and  his  body  was  thrown  into  the  Bosphorus.  On  the 
same  day  the  Bishop  of  Ephesus  and  the  Prelates  were 
put  to  death.  Such  was  the  rage  of  the  populace  and 
the  alarm  of  the  Porte,  that  ten  days  had  not  elapsed 
before  the  new  Grand  Vizier  was  deposed  and  executed, 
and  the  Sultan  called  upon  the  whole  empire  to  rally 
to  the  contest,  and  suppress  the  insurrection.  Large 
bodies  of  troops  were  assembled  and  marched  towards 
the  provinces  of  Wallachia  and  Moldavia,  which  so 
alarmed  the  Russian  minister  at  the  Porte,  that  he  re 
monstrated,  and  a  long  negotiation  ensued.  The  Em 
peror  of  Russia  assembled  a  strong  force  in  Bessarabia, 
to  watch  the  motions  of  the  Turks,  and  continued  the 
negotiations  ;  the  dispersed  insurgents  of  Wallachia 
and  Maldavia  kept  up  a  predatory  war;  but  Ypsilanti, 
their  chief,  was  seized  and  imprisoned  in  Austria, 
where  he  suffered  a  long  confinement. 

The  Greeks  assembled  their  forces  in  the  Morea,  and 
strengthened  their  fleet;  and  the  war  raged  by  sea  and 
land  through  the  summer,  with  great  seventy,  and  even 
cruelty  ;  but  the" Greeks  were  generally  successful. 

In  the  month  of  November  the  Greeks  called  a  con 
vention  to  frame  a  constitution,  which  was  completed 
and  published  on  the  1st  of  January,  1822  ;  and  Prince 
Alexander  Mavrocordato  was  chosen  President  of  the 
Executive  Council  of  Five.  The  Greeks  next  estab 
lished  printing  presses  ;  commenced  the  circulation  of 
newspapers,  and  began  to  coin  money,  levy  taxes,  &c. 
All  Greece  had  now  rallied  to  the  contest. 

The  Sublime  Porte  assembled  a  strong  force,  under 
the  command  of  the  Pacjia  Churshid,  in  Albania,  with 
orders  to  penetrate  into  the  Morea,  by  the  isthmus  of 
Corinth,  where  he  was  to  be  supported  by  the  Turks 
by  the  way  of  the  gulf  of  Lepanto. 
•"  The  Greeks  anticipated  these  movements,  and  de 
feated  the  whele  plan,  by  cutting  to  pieces  the  several 


GREEK  REVOLUTION,  457 

divisions  before  they  formed  the  proposed  junction  at 
the  isthmus  of  Corinth. 

The  Turks,  enraged  at  the  success  of  the  Greeks, 
seized  on  the  island  of  Scio,  or  Scios,  which  contained  a 
population  of  about  150,000  Greeks,  with  a  college,  in 
a  very  flourishing  situation,  and  enjoying  an  extensive 
trade.  They  razed  the  city,  and  murdered  or  carried 
away  captive  the  whole  Greek  population,  under  the 
most  distressing  displays  of  cruelty  and  barbarity.  To 
avenge  this  wanton,  savage  act,  the  Greeks  entered  the 
harbor  of  Scios,  with  two  fire  ships,  and  destroyed  the 
Turkish  admiral's  ship,  with  her  commander  and  crew, 
and  one  other  ship  of  the  largest  class,  with  her  crew, 
consisting  in  the  whole  of  more  than  1000  men. 

The  news  of  this  event  threw  Constantinople  into 
high  commotion  ;  the  Divan  was  torn  with  feuds  ;  the 
people  were  in  confusion,  and  the  Janizaries  rose  in  re 
bellion.  The  Sultan  ordered  a  large  body  of  troops, 
stationed  without  the  city,  to  march  in  and  quell  the  in 
surrection  ;  a  bloody  contest  ensued  ;  but  the  Janiza 
ries  were  overpowered  and  subdued,  and  the  survivors 
were  led  to  immediate  execution. 

In  the  month  of  July  the  Turks  concentrated  their 
forces,  and  commenced  an  attack  upon  the  Morea,  by 
sea  and  land.  They  entered  the  isthmus,  took  the  city 
of  Corinth,  about  the  first  of  August,  and  penetrated  to 
Argos,  where  they  were  met  by  the  Greeks ;  an  action 
commenced  ;  the  Turks  were  routed,  and  their  Lieut. 
General  was  slain.  Churshid,  their  general,  made  a 
hasty  retreat  out  of  the  Morea ;  his  soldiers  deserted 
his  standard  in  such  numbers,  that  it  was  with  the  great 
est  difficulty  he  could  recover  his  former  position  in 
Thessaly,  which  closed  the  operations  of  his  army  for 
this  year. 

The  Turks,  upon  the  island  of  Cypress,  rose  upon  the 

Greeks,  and  put  to  death  more  than  40,000,  with  the 

most   cruel  barbarity ;    razed  the  churches,   and  laid 

waste  the  country  for  more  than  40  square  leagues. — 

39 


458  SKETCH  OF  THE 

They  attempted  the  same  in  Candia  or  Crete  ;  but  the 
Greeks  opposed  them  successfully,  and  kept  their 
ground. 

Pending  these  movements,  the  Turkish  admiral  at 
tempted  to  return  with  his  fleet  within  the  Dardanelles, 
hut  the  Greeks  pursued  and  overtook  them  off  Tenedos, 
commenced  another  attack  with  fire  ships,  and  set  fire 
to  the  admiral's  ship,  which  blew  up,  with  the  destruc 
tion  of  the  admiral  and  crew,  without  the  loss  of  one 
Greek. 

This  event  gave  a  new  shock  to  the  capital,  and  in 
connexion  with  the  unpopular  measures  of  the  Porte, 
caused  a  general  insurrection,  and  the  city  was  repeat 
edly  on  fire.  The  Vizier  was  deposed,  and  his  head  ta 
ken  olf,  and  Churshid  passed  through  the  ceremony  of 
the  bowstring.  The  Greeks  at  the  same  time  seized  on 
Athens  and  Napoli  de  Romani,  the  strong  holds  of  the 
Turks  in  Greece.  Thus  closed  the  year  1822. 

At  the  commencement  of  the  year  1823,  the  Turks 
held  no  fortresses  of  any  importance  in  the  Morea,  ex 
cept  Patras  and  the  Castle  of  Corinth. 

The  plan  of  the  campaign  for  this  year  was  the  same 
as  that  of  the  last.  The  first  movement  of  the  land 
army  was  an  attack  upon  Missolonghi,  in  Livadia,  near 
the  entrance  of  the  gulf  of  Lepanto.  The  Turks  com 
menced  an  attack  on  the  6th  of  January,  but  were  de 
feated  with  great  loss.  They  attempted  to  move  east 
ward  towards  the  isthmus  of  Corinth,  but  were  opposed 
by  the  Greeks,  at  the  river  Aspropotamo,  with  such  suc 
cess,  that  the  whole  of  the  Albanians  withdrew  from  the 
army,  and  the  Seraskier,  or  general,  was  unable  to  make 
any  important  movements. 

At  this  time  the  new  elections  in  Greece  commenced, 
and  the  elective  body  met  at  Astros  in  the  month  of 
April.  Mavrocordato  declined  a  second  election,  and 
Mavromichalis  was  chosen  president,  and  John  Orlando 
was  chosen  president  of  the  senate. 


GREEK  REVOLUTION.  459 

At  this  time  an  insurrection  of  the  Greeks  commenced 
at  Mount  Pelion,  and  upon  the  eastern  shore  of  the  gulf 
of  Volo.  The  Seraskier  put  his  army  in  motion  to 
suppress  it,  but  the  Greeks  made  a  manful  resistance, 
and  maintained  their  ground. 

At  the  same  time  the  Capudin  Pasha,  or  admiral  of 
the  Turkish  fleet,  sailed  from  Constantinople,  with  sev 
enty  ships  of  war,  and  thirty  transports.  And  about 
the  first  of  Junehe  appeared  off  the  island  of  Negropont, 
and  landed  a  strong  force,  drove  the  Greeks  from  the 
island,  and  penetrated  into  Attica,  as  far  as  Athens  ;  but 
they  were  soon  obliged  to  retire  to  Negropont,  to  de 
fend  their  possessions  there. 

The  Seraskier,  Ma h met  Ali,  put  his  army  in  motion 
towards  the  Morea  ;  and  the  Capudin  Pasha  moved 
with  his  fleet  towards  the  gulf  of  Lepanto  ;  but  the 
Greeks  annoyed  the  Turks  so  successfully  on  their 
march,  that  the  Seraskier  halted  at  the  convent  of  St. 
Luce,  where  the  Greeks  overtook  him,  routed  and  dis 
persed  his  army,  and  rioted  in  the  spoils  of  the  Turkish 
camp.  The  Seraskier  with  his  fugitives  escaped  to 
Carpenitza. 

In  the  mean  time,  the  Suliote  chief,  Marco  Bozzaris, 
fell  upon  an  army  of  5000  men,  which  the  Turks  had 
landed  atCondyla,  to  act  in  concert  with  the  Seraskier, 
and  cut  them  to  pieces,  took  them  prisoners,  or  dispers 
ed  them  as  fugitives. 

The  Greeks  now  be^an  to  collect  their  troops  iu 
force,  in  order  to  attack  the  Turks  at  Carpenitza  ;  but 
finding  the  place  too  strong,  they  abandoned  the  plan, 
and  listened  to  the  following  purpose  of  Bozzaris. 

"  I  have  with  me  340  brave  Suliotes,  and  will  at  their 
head,  enter  the  Turkish  camp,  with  no  other  arms  than 
our  sabres  and  pistols.  Do  you  present  yourselves  in 
force,  at  different  points,  and  commence  your  fire,  when 
we  are  recognized,  so  as  to  distract  the  Turks  ;  and  if 
you  second  me,  we  will  seize  the  Pasha,  alive  or 
dead." 


460  SKETCH  OF  THE 

This  measure  was  adopted  with  much  applause,  and 
immediate  preparations  were  made  for  its  execution. — 
At  midnight,  Bozzaris  took  an  additional  force  of  100 
chosen  men,  and  forming  the  remainder  of  the  troops 
into  four  divisions,  he  marched  off  his  detachments  for 
the  conflict,  with  this  address  : 

"  My  friends,  if  we  scatter,  you  will  be  sure  to  find 
me  round  the  tent  of  the  Pasha." 

The  adventure  succeeded  ;  the  Turks  were  surpri 
sed  and  routed  ;  the  Pasha  was  taken  by  Bozzaris  him 
self;  but  in  the  very  act,  the  hero  fell  mortally  wound 
ed  ;  was  borne  off  by  his  brave  companions  in  arms, 
and  as  he  expired,  thus  addressed  them  : 

"  My  friends,  to  die  for  liberty  is  a  pleasure,  not  a 
pain.  Freedom  is  never  acquired  but  by  great  sacrifi 
ces.  I  die  content,  because  I  have  contributed  to  the 
independence  of  my  country."  The  Pasha  was  slain 
in  the  conflict, 

The  Capudin  Pasha  attempted  to  seize  upon  the  isl 
and  of  Skiatho,  near  the  gulf  of  Vola,  but  failed,  which 
closed  the  operations  of  this  campaign. 


CHAPTER  TIL 

SUMMARY  VIEW— 1824. 

This  year  the  war  opened  upon  Greece  with  more 
formidable  preparations  than  those  of  any  former  year. 
The  Turkish  fleet  was  greatly  augmented  by  a  powerful 
fleet  from  Egypt,  and  threatened  the  destruction  of  the 
Greeks  ;  but  their  valor  rose  in  proportion  to  the  danger 
that  pressed  upon  them,  and  they  met  their  enemies 
firmly  and  valiantly.  The  capture  of  Ipsara  by  the 


GREEK  REVOLUTION.  461 

Turks,  and  its  recapture  by  the  Greeks,  will  fully  show 
the  spirit  and  success  of  the  parties.  The  scenes  of 
Scios  were  renewed  at  Ipsara.  The  Turks  became 
masters  of  the  island  on  the  4th  of  July.  The  Ipsarists 
killed  more  than  20,000  of  the  enemy  before  they  were 
overpowered  and  taken. 

On  the  23d  of  July,  the  Greeks  reinforced  their  fleet, 
and  made  a  descent  upon  Ipsara,  and  retook  the  island, 
with  a  terrible  slaughter.  The  whole  Turkish  garrison 
fell  in  the  field,  or  were  put  to  the  sword,  amounting  to 
more  than  2000  men.  The  Greeks  at  the  same  time 
attacked  the  Turkish  fleet,  and  took  or  destroyed  55 
gun-boats,  eight  sloops,  a  corvette,  and  three  frigates. — 
Total  loss  of  the  Turks  in  the  capture  and  re-capture  of 
Ipsara,  is  estimated  at  23,000  men. 

The  Greeks  were  equally  successful  against  the  Egyp 
tian  fleet,  and  against  the  land  army  of  the  Turks,  that 
was  marching  upon  Athens. 

Extract  of  a  letter  from  the  Minister  of  the   United  States,  at  the 
Court  of  Great  Britain,  to  his  friend  in  Washington. 

li  Permit  me  to  congratulate  you  upon  the  success  of 
the  Greeks.  They  have  been  victorious  in  every  en^ 
gagement,  both  by  sea  and  land.  They  now  command 
the  Dardanelles.  By  an  account  I  have  lately  read, 
550  Greeks  fought  8000  Turks,  at  Hermopylas,  from  8 
o'clock  in  the  morning  till  6  at  night,  leaving  more  than 
700  Turks  dead  upon  the  field  of  battle,  besides  the 
wounded,  and  lost  but  few  themselves — not  20.  It 
seems  as  if  the  Almighty  favored  them/' 

The  most  important  news  is  from  Greece  to  which, 
of  course,  our  columns  must  be  principally  devoted 
this  evening.  In  addition  to  the  accounts  contained  in 
the  English  papers,  an  arrival  at  Boston  from  Smyrna, 
has  brought  us  letters  from  our  valued  correspondent  at 
that  place,  as  late  as  the  25th  of  July.  With  bleeding, 
30* 


SKETCH  OF  THE  *     r$- 

*    »** 

hearts  our  readers  have  already  perused  some  partial  de- 
tails  of  the  fall  of  Ipsara.  Our  correspondent  has  fur 
nished  a  more  particular  and  interesting  account  of 
that  bloody  and  treacherous  affair.  But  the  gloom  pro 
duced  by  this  intelligence,*  is  in  a  very  considerable  de 
gree  dispelled  by  advices  of  the  subsequent  naval  suc 
cess  of  the  Greeks,  and  the  recapture  of  Ispara.  This 
gratifying  news  is  positively  asserted  by  our  correspon 
dent,  and  is  mentioned  in  a  letter  from  an  American 
Gentleman  in  Smyrna,  of  July  22,  to  the  Editors  of  the 
Daily  Advertiser,  and  is  also  mentioned  in  letters  re 
ceived  and  published  at  Boston.  The  only  circum 
stance  that  casts  a  doubt  upon  it,  is  the  fact  stated  by 
Capt.  King,  who  arrived  at  Boston,  and  who  asserts 
u  that  on  the  26th,  when  he  passed  Ispara,  the  Turkish 
fleet  was  then  off  that  Island."  But  there  was  evident 
ly  some  mistake  in  this  matter,  as  we  have  a  letter  from 
Constantinople  of  the  22d  of  July  stating  that  "  the 
Captain  Pasha  had  returned  to  Mytelene  to  land  his 
wounded,  and  to  repair  four  frigates  which  cannot  keep 
the  sea.''  In  addition  to  this,  the  accounts  of  the  Greek 
successes,  is  published  in  the  Grecian  Gazette  extraor 
dinary,  and  the  news  had  caused  great  rejoicings  among 
the  Greeks  who  had  ordered  Te  Deums  to  be  sung. 
It  appears  from  this  paper,  that  all  the  Grecian  vessels 
had  gone  from  the  other  islands  to  assist  the  Ipsariots, 
and  that  this  fleet  after  paving  been  to  Caso,  and  saved 
that  isle  where  there  was  equally  brave  resistance,  by 
the  Casiots  against  the  Turks,  returned  to  Ipsara  with 
their  fleet  of  upwards  of  80  sail,  where  the  Turkish  fleet 
was  beaten  with  the  loss  of  three  vessels  sunk  and  the 
fleet  put  to  flight.  But  we  will  proceed  with  our 
Smyrna  correspondence,  and  follow  it  with  such  partic 
ulars  as  we  may  find  most  important  in  the  London  pa 
pers. 

The  Turks  having  commenced  an  attack  on  the  land 
batteries  at  Samos,  a  Greek  fleet,  consisting  of  about 
20  Ipsariot  brigs  &c.  under  Admiral  Apostolina,  fortu- 


.  '     *       GREEK   REVOLUTION.  463 

T    'T  •' 

nately  arrived  in  time  to  succor  the  island.  The  fore 
most  ships  of  the  Turkish  fleet  consisting  of  a  razee, 
frigates,  &c.  having  got  well  in  with  the  land,  in  the 
channels,  a  Greek  brig  passed  under  the  stern  of  the 
razee,  and  did  her  considerable  damage  ;  and  escaped 
without  much  injury.  By  this  time  several  other  ves 
sels  were  engaged  ;  when  the  Greeks  brought  up  four 
fire  ships,  which,  taking  the  advantage  of  a  favorable 
time,  they  launched  on  the  razee,  a  frigate  of  50  guns, 
and  two  sloops  of  war,  with  unexampled  boldness  ;  and 
steered  their  little  barques  with  such  precision,  th^t  in 
a  moment  the  two  sloops  of  war  were  in  a  blaze.  The 
one  launched  on  the  razee  went  down  before  it  reached. 
The  Turkish  vessels  were  immediately  in  confusion, 
and  crowded  all  sail  before  the  wind  to  escape.  The 
fire  ship  directed  against  the  frigate  did  not  come  up 
with  her  till  she  had  got  before  the  wind,  and  a  chase 
commenced,  during  which  time  a  heavy  fire  was  kept 
up  from  the  frigate's  chasers  ;  but  the  fire  ship  sailing 
swift  came  up,  arid  run  her  bows  into  the  stern  of  the 
frigate,  and  in  a  few  moments  she  was  in  a  blaze,  and 
blew  up  with  a  terrible  explosion.  The  rest  of  the  fleet 
escaped  into  Boudroun.  A  'braver  and  more  daring 
action  it  is  believed  does  not  exist  on  record.  The 
brave,  noble,  and  generous  Constantine  Canari,  com 
manded  the  fire  ship  that  burnt  the  frigate  which  carri 
ed  55  guns  :  was  a  first  rate  ship,  and  was  crowded  with 
troops.  I  saw  her  in  Smyrna  a  short  time  since. 

It  was  estimated  that  from  15,000  to  20,000  Turks 
perished  before  Samos. 

GREEK  NAVAL  VICTORY— OFFICIAL. 

After  we  had  compelled  the  enemy  to  retreat  in  a 
shameful  manner  in  the  two  first  attempts  to  approach 
us,  he  yesterday  made  a  third  attempt,  with  all  his  ships 
of  war  to  the  number  of  22.  The  combat  commenced 
at  half  past  10  A.  M.  The  enemy  first  approached 


464  SKETCH  OF  THE 

with  all  his  large  vessels,  and  then  with  the  smaller 
ones.  As  we  had  notyet  prepared  our  fireships,  we  or 
dered  only  16  vessels  of  Hydra  and  Spezzia,  which  had 
just  arrived  with  an  Hydriot  fire  ship,  arid  a  vessel  of 
Captain  Canaris,  which  had  also  just  arrived,  to  oppose 
them.  The  combat  was  obstinate  on  both  sides,  and 
the  tactics  of  our  Hydriots  and  Spezziots  were  display 
ed  in  a  most  brilliant  manner.  Our  fire  ships  accom 
panied  by  our  vessels,  sailed  against  the  ships  of  the  en 
emy  and  threw  them  into  complete  disorder,  obliging 
them  to  retire  with  disgrace,  much  farther  than  in  their 
two  former  attempts. 

You  may  easily  conceive  with  what  courage  this  hap 
py  result  inspired  our  men,  and  on  the  contrary,  how 
discouraging  it  was  for  the  enemy,  and  principally  for 
those  troops  which  had  been  collected  on  the  mountains 
of  Asia  Minor,  and  were  now  witnesses  to  the  defeat  of 
their  fleet. 

But  a  more  signal  victory  awaited  the  Greek  fleet ! 
This  morning  we  saw  the  enemy  make  an  approach  to 
wards  us  with  the  wind  in  his  favor.  We  immediately 
ordered  all  our  fire  ships  to  set  sail,  accompanied  by 
different  ships  of  war.  About  10  A.M.  the  fire  ship 
commanded  by  Captain  Demetrius  Zapli,  approached  a 
frigate  of  the  first  rank  offCape  Saint  Maria,  and  grap 
pled  her.  There  was  a  slight  breeze,  and  the  frigate, 
helped  in  some  manner  by  it  and  towed  by  four  galleys, 
escaped  the  danger  which  threatened  her,  and  our  fire 
ship  did  not  succeed  ;  but  it  afforded  an  opportunity  to 
the  brave  Captain  Canaris  to  go  against  the  same  frig 
ate  in  the  fire  ships,  which  he  himself  commanded,  and 
he  succeeded  towards  eleven  o'clock,  A.  M.  in  grap 
pling  her  whilst  in  full  sail.  In  a  short  time  she  was  in 
flames,  and  the  fire  having  penetrated  to  the  powder 
magazine,  soon  blew  her  up,  and  the  sparks  and  pieces 
of  wood,  which  flew  on  all  sides,  not  only  destroyed  all 
who  were  on  board,  to  the  number  of  600,  but  several 


GREEK  REVOLUTION.  465 

on  the  neighboring  coasts,  and  burned  nearly  20  trans 
ports,  which  were  in  readiness  to  transport  the  troops 
to  Samos. 


CHAPTER  IV. 

GENERAL  SUMMARY— 1825. 

The  Sublime  Porte  made  early  preparation  to  pros 
ecute  with  rigour,  the  war  against  the  Greeks  in  1825. 
He  placed  great  dependence  on  the  co-operation  of  the 
Pasha  of  Egypt,  who  put  in  requisition  all  the  resour 
ces  of  his  dominions,  and  took  the  field  in  person. 

On  the  8th  of  May  the  Pasha  appeared  off  Nava- 
rino  with  a  fleet  of  100  vessels  ;  60  of  which  were 
ships  of  war,  and  40  transports.  He  entered  the  har- 
bonr  on  the  12th,  and  landed  a  strong  force  ;  but  the 
Greeks  were  prepared  to  receive  him.  During  the 
night  the  Greeks  attacked  the  fleet  of  the  Pasha  with 
fire  ships,  and  succeeded  in  capturing  the  whole. 

On  the  same  day,  the  Greeks  attacked  with  lire  ships, 
the  Turkish  fleet  in  the  harbour  of  Modon,  consisting  of 
40  ships  of  war,  and  transports,  and  destroyed  the 
whole.  Such  European  vessels  as  were  in  the  harbour 
of  Modon  escaped  to  Zante,  without  their  anchors,  and 
otherwise  much  damaged  by  the  conflagration. 

The  fortress  of  Navarino,  after  a  long  and  obstinate 
resistance,  was  forced  to  capitutate  to  Ibrahim  Pasha, 
on  the  23d  of  May,  for  want  of  provisions.  The  gar 
rison  (12,000  men)  marched  out  with  baggage,  and  ev 
ery  thing  except  their  arms. 

The  naval  operations  of  this  year,  were  particularly 
glorious  to  the  Greeks  ;  and  their  naval  heroes  gained 
fresh  laurels  by  their  many  brilliant  achievements. 


466  SKETCH    OF  THE 

The  success  of  the  Greeks  by  land  have  been  almost 
uninterrupted,. and  had  they  possessed  an  undivided  uni 
son,  and  a  government  of  energy  and  decision,  they 
tloabtless  might  have  continued  the  defence  of  Navari- 
no,  and  preserved  the  place  ;  but  failing  in  those  two 
points,  they  were  constrained  to  suffer  Navarino  to  fall 
into  the  hands  of  the  enemy.  The  capture  of  this 
strong  hold  was  a  triumph  to  Ibrahim,  worth  the  labors 
of  a  whole  campaign,  because  it  covered  his  army 
through  the  winter,  and  enabled  him  to  open  the  cam 
paign  the  next  season,  to  the  best  possible  advantage. 

EXTRACT. 

Yesterday  I  had  an  audience  with  Mavrocordatos. 
1  was  accompanied  to  the  place  by  Col.  Jarvis.  The 
Prince  received  me  with  much  politeness,  and  expres 
sed  his  satisfaction  at  the  conduct  of  our  government, 
in  regard  to  the  interest  it.  takes  in  the  sufferings  of 
Greece.  He  asked  me  many  questions,  in  reference 
to  the  views  which  were  entertained  by  the  Americans 
of  the  character  of  the  Greeks.  To  all  his  questions  I 
endeavored  to  give  as  correct  answers  as  possible.  I 
told  him  that  all  the  exertions,  which  the  different  com 
mittees  were  making  in  America,  were  for  the  liberty 
of  Greece  ;  and  that  it  was  my  opinion  that  nothing 
further  would  be  done  by  the  Americans,  if  the  Greeks 
should  consent  to  accept  of  a  foreign  King.  He  repli 
ed  that  nothing  but  a  foreign  force  would  ever  place 
them  under  a  King.  1  told  him  I  was  willing  to  bear 
arms  in  Greece  as  long  as  there  was  a  prospect  of  her 
being  free,  but  no  longer.  With  this  reply  he  appeared 
to  be  well  pleased  ;  told  me  to  make  myself  acquaint 
ed  with  the  language  as  soon  as  possible  ;  and  that  I 
should  have  a  station  of  some  importance  in  the  army. 
While  we  were  consulting,  a  Courier  arrived  with 
news  of  a  recent  victory,  gained  by  sea,  over  the  Turks. 
There  were  two  engagements.  The  first  took  place 
about  the  9th  of  November,  between  the  Islands  of  Sa- 


GREEK  REVOLUTION.  467. 

mos  and  Nicaria  ;  the  second  in  the  channel -of  Can- 
dia,  between  Candia  and  the  Island  of  Caso.  The 
fleet  of  the  Pacha  of  Egypt  has  been  entirely  defeated 
and  dispersed.  Seven  ships  of  war  were  burned  or 
sunk,  and  12  transporsts  taken,  most  of  which  Were 
under  European  colors.  On  board  these  transports 
were  1200  Egyptian  soldiers,  all  of  whom  fell  into  the 
hands  of  the  Greeks. 

The  Greek  victory  at  Navarin,  over  a  part  of  the 
Egyptians,  is  amply  confirmed.  Ibrahim  Pasha  is  in  the 
neighborhood  of  Modon,  and,  as  all  agree,  in  a  very  cri 
tical  situation.  There  was  indeed  a  report  of  another 
battle.  An  English  vessel  from  Modon  bound  to  Odes 
sa,  had  stopped  at  Constantinople,  the  master  of  which 
reported  that  he  was  an  eye  witness  to  the  defeat  of  the 
Egyptian  army  of  10,000  men,  which  was  almost  anni 
hilated.  The  story  was  contradicted  by  some  masters" 
of  French  vessels  arrived  from  th,e  neighborhood  of  Mo 
don.  But  on  the  other  hand,  a  letter  from  Augsburgh 
states,  that  at  the  departure  of  the  courier  from  Trieste, 
a  rumor  prevailed  of  a  bloody  battle  having  been 
fought  in  the  environs  of  Modori,  in  which  the  Egyp 
tians  were  signally  defeated,  and  part  of  them  had  laid 
down  their  arms.  Ibrahim  Pasha  is  said  to  be  among 
the  prisoners  of  war.  The  probability,  therefore,  is, 
that  there  has  been  another  engagement.  Reschid  Pa 
sha  seems  entirely  to  have  failed  in  his  attempt  to  pen 
etrate  the  Morea,  and  thus  create  a  diversion  in  favor 
of  the  Egyptian  chief.  His  conduct  has  been  such,  that 
he  has  caused  a  civil  war  to  break  out  against  the  Turks 
in  Epirus,  and  rendered  the  Albanians  once  more  hos 
tile  to  the  Sultan.  It  is  said  he  has  been  compelled  to 
shut  himself  up  in  the  castle  of  the  lake  of  Janina. — 
Every  thing  indicates  that  the  Albanians  and  Hellenists 
will  make  common  cause  against  the  Turks,  and  thus 
materially  aid  the  Greek  cause.  In  the  mean  time  the 
Bey  of  Egypt  is  endeavoring  to  send  succors  to  his  son 
ac  Modon.  A  division  of  the  Egyptian  fleet,  consisting 


468  SKETCH  OF  THE 

of  3  frigates,  13  brigs,  20  corvettes,  and  20  transport 
vessels,  sailed  on  the  4th  of  March  for  the  Isle  of  Can- 
dia  ;  hut  a  few  days  after,  being  overtaken  by  a  violent 
tempest,  they  returned  into  the  port  of  Alexandria 
greatly  damaged.  The  crews,  as  well  as  the  troops  on 
board,  immediately  dispersed  themselves,  and  hastened 
to  regain  their  homes.  This  event  put  the  Viceroy  in 
to  such  a  rage,  that  he  ordered  the  heads  of  several  na 
val  officers  to  be  cut  off. 


CHAPTER  V. 

GENERAL  SUMMARY— 1826. 

The  campaign  of  1826  was  opened  with  more  formi 
dable  preparations  on  the  part  of  the  Turks,  than  eith 
er  of  the  former.  The  Pasha  of  Egypt  (Ibrahim)  moved 
from  Navarin,  at  the  opening  of  the  season,  and  as  he 
advanced  into  the  Morea,  laid  waste  the  country  with 
fire  and  sword.  On  the  20th  of  March,  after  four  suc 
cessive  assaults,  he  carried  the  strong  fortress  of  Misso- 
longhi  ;  but  the  Greeks  fought  bravely  and  desperately. 
All  the  garrison  (1400)  were  killed,  and  a  great  number 
of  women  and  children  drowned  in  the  neighboring 
lakes.  Before  the  first  attack,  the  garrison  were  redu 
ced  to  four  ounces  of -bread  a  day  per  man.  They  took 
the  sacrament,  and  recited  the  burial  service,  then  re 
tired  to  their  posts,  determined  to  sell  their  lives  as 
dear  as  they  could.  Before  the  last  attack,  the  garri 
son  was  reduced  to  427  fighting  men. 

The  Turks  were  aided  by  French  officers,  or  they 
could  not  have  taken  the  place. 

Ibrahim  Pasha,  t  is  stated,  had  given  orders  to  kilj 
all  the  prisoners,  ;.ndeven  unarmed  peasants,  in  order 


GREEK  REVOLUTION.  46g 

to  complete  the  number  of  six  thousand  heads  and  pairs 
of  ears,  that  the  Sultan  had  ordered  him  to  send  to  Con 
stantinople.  It  appears  that  he  could  riot  make  up  this 
number  at  Missolonghi. 

Ibrahim  continued  his  ravages  in  the  Morea,  and  the 
strong  fortresses  of  Napoli  de  Romania  and  Tripolizza 
fell  into  his  hands ;  and  the  same  barbarities  followed 
as  at  Missolonghi. 

The  siege  of  Athens  commenced  in  form  about  mid 
summer,  and  was  conducted  with  vigor  and  cruelty  : 
but  the  Greeks  were  firm  and  determined  in  their  d'e- 
fence.  In  the  month  of  September,  the  garrison  com 
menced  a  successful  sortie,  drove  the  Turks  from  their 
entrenchments,  with  great  slaughter,  and  plundered  and 
destroyed  their  camp.  But  the  Turks  recovered  the 
shock,  and  renewed  the  siege  until  November  or  De 
cember,  and  then  raised  the  siege,  and  withdrew. 


FALL  OF  MISSOLONGHI. 

The  heroic  defenders  of  Missolonghi  have  ceased  to 
live  !  Reduced  to  1 ,400  men,  who  were  reduced  to  four 
ounces  of  biscuit,  they  saw,  till  the  17th  of  February, 
the  storm  gathering  which  was  to  swallow  them  up  ;  the 
Egyptians,  directed  by  Europeans,  among  whom  there 
were  unhappily  some  Frenchmen,  having  at  that  time 
completed  the  pontoons,  by  means  of  which  they  were 
to  cross  the  shallows,  to  attack  Missolonghi  on  the  side 
of  Mavri  Aliki,  at  which  point  there  were  no  fortifica 
tions,  because  the  lagoon  defended  the  town  on  that 
side.  On  the  18th,  the  enemy  examined  the  ground, 
and  the  Turkish  fleet  having  re-appeared  at  Procopan- 
istos,  at  the  entrance  of  the  Gulf  of  Missolonghi,  there 
was  every  reason  to  expect  an  attempt  to  storm.  From 
that  day  every  individual  prepared  himself  for  death  , 
and  from  the  19th  to  the  21st  of  February,  all  the 
Christians  celebrated  their  obsequies.  The  Bishop  Jo- 
40 


•  no  SKETCH  OF  THE' 

•       •     •         •; 

seph  administered  the  sacrament  to  them,  and,  the  .- 
vice  for  tiVetleacl  tmving  been  recited,  €  Very  one-repaii    . 
ed-to  his  j)bs't.  '   . 

From;  the  22d  'to1  tlfe.  ,25th,  .all  was  tranqiiil  in  the 
camp  ,  of  Ibrahim,  and  the  enemy  began  /in  the  night  i(\ 
pla&e  his/pontoons.  Tvvo  hours  after  sun-rise  the  Eu- 
ropeap  Engineers  had  succeeded  in  approaching  within 

'  .lOOtoises  of  the  town,  and  shouts  annoitnced  th-e  attack. 
TSvo  lines  of  pontoons  entlingat  t-jae  same  pt>iht  joined, 
the  cannon  of  the  Christians 'began  to  roar.. the  'firing  of 
the  musketry  commenced,  and  at  eleven oVJoclciwo  pon 
toons  having  b-eeh^destroy^d ,  the* barbarians  retired  in 
disorder.  Acclamations  and'cheVof  joy  annQunced  to 
the  inhabitants  of  Missolpngki  the 'triumph  ofttte  Cross 
The§6th  of- F^ebrirfiiy  Ibrahim,  'haying  united  all  Jiis 
forces,  rnade.Ti  second  attack,  b'ut  witjhbut  success.  .  'On 
the  2d  of  March,  iii^third^attacl*,  ti^  barbarians  made 
themselves  masters  of \he 'head  of  the  eabseway,  and 
from  that  moment,  the  pontoons  having  been  united- at 
that  point,  the  destruction  .of fctbje  Christian's,  who  t-rad 
only  427  able  to'fight,  was  .considerexl  ijicvitablc';  yet 

"no  thought  of  surrender  entered  ahy-  body Ts  mind,  and  no    * 
mouth  pronounced  the  word  capitulation  :  every   one 
seemed  only  to  think  of  selling  his  life  dear.    At  length, 
on  the  8th  of  March,  (20th  of  March,  ,new  style,) "the 
last  hour  of  the  Christians  sounded.     At  ten  oVJock  the 
Turks  had  taken  Missolonghi  by  storm,  the  Bishop  Jo 
seph   had  been  burnt  by  a  slow  fire, 'all   the    men   had 
been  put  to  the  sword,  and  the  number  of  corpses   of 
drowned  women  g.nd  children  choked  up  the  lagogns. 
The  fatal  assault   on-  Missolonghi,   it  appears,   was 

'made  by  a  force  of  20,||00  men,  185  cannons,  and  48 
mortars.  The  majorityjof  the  garrison  was  killed,  and 
the  place  in  ruin^-before  it  surrendered.  The  Gover 
nor  of  the  citadel  blew  it  up  with  2,000-  Turks,  the  * 
writer  of  the  letter  of  which  this  is  an  extract,  was  one 
qf  3,000  who  fought  'their  way  out  of  the  garrison.  Up-. 
wards  of  4,000  Greeks  were  destroyed. 


REVOLUTION.  47! 

M    solonglii  'riais  fallen.     The  heroic  city,  which  for 
'<£e  iv  months  liad- defeated- tlie  power  of  the  Infidels 
awl  repulsed  82  attacks,  was '  taken'1  by  'sTorrh.'on'.the 

. ',.  1  Oth.     Poor  St.  /\ubyn  fell  on  the  OGcasion,.,Jjut:  he  'di 
ed  nbblyv    On  the  8th,  while  we  were  reJGficing  for  oiu; 

•  'late  victory,  Ibrahim  haying  beetf  reinforced  by   700U 
troops,  arrived  befoje/th-e^place,  and  again  summoned  us 
surrender,  -promisini::.  favoraWe  coilditi.ohs,  iyhic.lvbe-, 
nig 'refuse^  a  sharp,  affair  took  place^  the,  result  ofivyhichr 
was  ^athe    fellr^*^:havi%  Ibst  TOO.  kiWed,  '^00 
wpiuide4, -40p  prisoners^ -4'  pi'e'ce§toff  cannanj   arid-  two, 
sfcuidaiads.  '  .On  the. 9th  he  returned  with  .20%,OOO  men, 
and  a- -formidable*    ti^iijf  of- artillery,"  .surrounding   the 
.tavVn-'pti' all  sides. 

..We  had  only  7,000  men; tp.6fop.bse  to  him,'  and. 'those 
worn  out  with  fatio-u/,  but  %11.  resolved  to  conquer  or 
die.  In  the  eVeninJ^we  received  the.  Sacrameni  in  the 
church_:of  3jt*  S<  ;>hia,  and  marcted  to  our  p.osts,  from 
wnich.f(5w  returned.  •  ^.t  1%  o'cjo^k'the'enemy  opened 
a  trelnigndous  iire  fj^om- ,1§5  cannons  and  48'  mortars, 
which  continued,,  wl&oift .intermission, -till  10  .o'clock 
next  iiK>rn;ngf  when  the  Avails-  became  a  heap,  of .  ruins. 
The  enei^iy.  then  vi^orpusiyyaftacked  us  -in  four  direc- 
tionsj  and  aftar-tv/onours'  fighting,  forced  their  way  in 
to  the  town.  Tlie  conflict  was  now.  raging  in 'the  most 
deadly  form.  The  streets  were  choked  with  the  dead 
and  wounded,  whilst  the  blood  was  running  in  streams. 
The  slaughter  of-  the  Turks  was  .  excessive,  ".as  every 
house  was  a  complete  fortress,  and  the  ground  disputed 
at  the  p\>int  of  the  bayonet,  inch  by  inch.  Our  gallant 
French'  volunteers  did  wonders.  Three  times,  headed 
by  our  bratfe  and  lamented  St%Aubyn,  they'charged  and 
drove  back  the  enemy  with  great  loss,  taking  a  number 
of  prisoners  ;  but  in  making  a  fourth  and  desperate  at- 
.tack,  our  gallant  St.  Aubyn  was  shofein  the  breast,  and 
died  in  my  arms,  begging  me  with  his  Jast  breath,  to 
die  rather  than  yield. 


TCH  OF  1 

In  the  mean  time  the  Governor  defended  himseli 
heroic  obstinacy,  in  the  great  Church,  bur  the  doors  be 
ing  forced,  and  most  of  his  men  killed  or  wounded,  he 
sprung  the  mine,  which  destroyed  both  that  and  the  cit 
adel,  overwhelming  himself  and  two  thousand  Turks  in 
one  tremendous  ruin.  The  enemy  haying  ROW  entire 

:>sion  of  the  hard  fought  town,  we  collected  about 
300  of  the  brave  fellows  who  had  fought  so  well,  and 
after  a  hard  contest,  we  succeeded  in  cutting  our  way 
out,  leaving  them  in  possession  of  a  heap  of  ruins  which 
I  have  learned,  has  cost  Ibrahim  nine  thousand  of  his 
*Jie  last  attack  alone.  I  joined  General 
Gourasonthe  12th.  with  -2.500  men.  150  prisoners,  six 
cannons,  and  nine  standards  taken  from  the  enemy  du 
ring  the  last  fatal  attack.  We  brought  the  body  c  f  - 
Aubyn  off  with  us.  which  will  be  interred  to  day  with 
military  honours.  I  received  three  slight  wounJs.  but 
am  now  fast  recoven;  _ 

On  the  22d  April,  about  six  o'clock  in  the  evening, 
Caraiscachi  having  reached  the  tops  of  the   mountains 

ora.  with  about  500  of  his  men.  they  tired  a   vol- 

;  a  signal  to  the  rebels  of  Ml-solon^hi.  of  having 

come  to  their  assistance.     The  garrison  of  Missolonghi 

having  decided  to  retire  from  that  place,  they  made  the 

::ary  preparations,  and  hoped  to  succeed  without 
being  perceived  by  our  troops  :  and  about   three   hours 
iark.  they  directed  the  two  Chieftains  Macri  and 
Becacello  to  make  a  sortie  with  300  men.  and  to  at 
tempt  to  gain  possession  of  one  of  our  batteries,  situated 
on  the  sea  shore  leading  towards  the   Convent,   which 
was  manned  by  the  Arabs.     They  did  this  in  the  view, 
that  after  having  taken  possession  of  the  battery,  they 
open  the  way  to  the  remainder  of  the   garrison 
and  their  families,  and  escape  unperceived.     More  than 
a  thousand  women  and  children,  who   were   unwilling 
lenger  to  remain  in  the  town,  followed  these  two  chief- 
armed  and  dressed  as  males  with  the  hope  of  be 
ing  able  to  make  good  their  flig'  .1  reached  the 


DEVOLUTION. 

battery,  they  were  not  able  to  stand  against  the  continu 
ed  fire  of  the  Arabs,  and  attempted  by  flight  to  reach  the 
mountains  without  beincr  discovered  by  our  comman 
ders  :  but  in  this  they  were  disappointed,  for  Rumely 
Valsey,  and  his  brother  Morea  Valsev  Pacha,  had  taken 
every  precaution  when  they  saw  the  flashes  of  the  mus 
ketry  discharged  by  the  men  under  Caraiscachi.  feeling 
convinced  from  the  reports  of  the  prisoners  respecting 
the  want  of  provisions  in  the  town,  that  a  flight  would 
be  attempted,  and  had  not  failed  to  reinforce  our  troops 
at  the  different  forts,  and  to  line  all  the  country  at  the 
foot  of  the  mountains  with  regular  and  irregular  troops, 
infantry  and  cavalry. 

•*  The  above  mentioned  chieftains  in  their  flight  to 
the  mountains  were  thus  met  by  our  troops,  and  in  the 
of  relieving  themselves  of  their  superfluous  loads, 
and  escaping,  they  put  to  death  800  women  and  chil 
dren,  (as  unable  to  keep  company  with  them.)  and  fled 
up  to  the  mountains,  crying  out  to  each  other  to 
themselves  as  well  as  they  could. 

-  The  remainder  of  the  6  ho  waited  in  Mis- 

_hi  until  the  capture  of  our  batterv.  observed  that 
their  two  chieftains  had  taken  flight,  and  got  so  alarm 
ed  and  c  xnfjscd  that  they  abandoned  their  posts.  Four 
hundred  of  them  shut  themselves  up  in  the  wind-mill, 
and  above  500  others  took  refuge  in  their  different  bat- 

-  on  the  shore;  the  rest  dispersed  themse! 
parties  of  teas  and  twenties.  an<^nrere  all  put  to 
by  the  continued  firing  which  w*  kept  up. 

"Our  troops  observing  the  confusion   of  the    re       - 
rushed  in.  ind  part  by  land,  and  took  pos 

session  of  the  fortifications,  and   as  a  signal    of  their 
success,  set  tire  to    them  in   ditferent   places.     At  this 
time,  many  women   and  children,  who  were  without 
protection,  in  order  to  escape  bein^  taken  by  our  peo 
ple  who  were  coming  up  to  them,  r.in  to  the  ditcher 
drowned  themse]1 
40* 


474  SKETCH  OF  THE 

"  Our  troops  having  received  orders  to  subdue  the 
town  that  night,  and  to  put  to  the  sword  all  they  might 
meet  with,  pushed  into  the  town  of  Missolonghi,  and 
either  took  prisoners  or  destroyed  all  whom  {hey  found. 
Many  women  and  children  were  taken  prisoners. 
The  500  Greeks  who  were  above  mentioned  as  hav 
ing  shut  themselves  up  in  the  batteries  on  the  shore, 
were  then  attacked,  and  after  considerable  firing,  ip  the 
space  of  two  hours  were  all  destroyed.  .  . 

After  this,  none  were  left,  except  the  300*\vho  were 
shut  up  in  the  wind-mill.  These  were  assaulted  by 
our  people,  and  the  rebels  (most  of  them  officers)  ob 
serving  their  imminent  danger,  set  fire  to  their  gunpow 
der  and  blew  themselves  up." 

"  The  destruction  of  the  rebels  has  been  unexam 
pled — their  numbers  killed  in  the  town  are  reckoned 
at  2100 

Killed  at  the  foot  of  the  mountain,  500 

Taken  alive  in  different  parts  (men,)  1  &Q 

Women  killed,  1300* 

Women  and  children  drowned,  800 

Women  and  children  taken  prisoners,  3400 


Total  8250. 


CHAPTER  VI. 

GENERAL  SUMMARY-1827. 

The  Turks  commenced  their  operations  "this  year, 
for  the  subjugation  of  Greece,  with  more  formidable 
preparations  than  ever  they  had  done  before.  Ibrahim 
drew  into  his  service,  from  Egypt,  greater  forces,  by 
sea  and  land,  than  those  of  the  last  year,  and  the  cause 


. 

GREEK  REVOLUTION.  475 

-  of  the"  Greeks  became  so  desperate,  as  to  unite  the 
three  great  Christian  powers  of  Europe,  Great  Britain, 
France,  and  Russia,  in  a  coalition,  treaty  for  the  sup 
port  and  protection  of  Greece,  signed  at  London,  July 
1.  The  result  of  this  treaty  has  been  an  armed  combi 
ned  squadron,  which  entered  the  Archipelago  in  the 
month-of  September,  and  attempted  to  check  and  sup- 
press»the  ravages  of  Ibrahim  by  an  armistice,  until  a 
treaty  couicLbe  amicably  settled  with  the  Sublime  Porte; 
but  when  tfiey  found  this  to  be  impracticable,  the  allies 
entered  the  port  of  Navarino,  on  the  20th  of  October, 
and  in  one  of  the  most  memorable  naval  actions  on  re 
cord,  succeeded  in  destroying  the  whole  Turkish  fleet, 
which  consisted  of  more  than  60  sail,  of  all  classes. 

"  The  affair  at  Navarino  was  known  at  the  Seraglio 
on  the  29th,  and  so  exasperated  the  Sultan,  that  no  one 
dared  to  go  near  him  for  twelve  hours.  The  Reis  Ef- 
fendi,  at  length,  on  the  3d  of  November,  sent  for  the  dro- 
gomsms  of  the  three  powers,  and  appeared  in  a  state  of 
consternation  which  cannot  be  described.  Without 
speaking  to  them  of  the  consequences  of  the  affair,  he 
asked  them  the  reason  of  such  a  breach  of  faith,  and 
dismissed  them,  after  giving  an  evasive  answer,  with 
forced  composure,  adding  this  remarkable  declaration, 
*"  Tire*  Forte  deeply  regrets  having  listened  for  a  mo- 
"mentto  the  insinuations  and  "promises  of  the  three  am- 
bassadojs.  *  Their  presence  at  Constantinople  is  indif 
ferent  to  the  Porte.  No  advice  wHI  be  given  either  to 
go  or  stay.  They  are  at  liberty  to  determine  what  they 
shall  do.  The  Sultan  has  resolved  to  break  off  all  in 
tercourse  with  them." 

BATTLE  OF  NAVARINO. 

London  Gazette  Extaordinary, 

Admiralty  Offices,  Nov.  10,  1827. 

Despatches,  of  which  the  following  are  copies  or  ex- 

tracts,  have  been  this  day  received  at  this  office,  ad- 


476  SKETCH  OF  THE 

dressed  to  John  Wilson  Crokey,  Esq.  by  Vice  Admiral 
Sir  Edward  Codringtori,  K.  C.  B.  Commander  in 
Chief  of  his  Majesty's  ships  in  the  Mediterranean  :— 

His  Majesty' }s  ship  Asia,  in  the  Port  of  Navarino, 

October  21,  1827. 
SIR, 

I  have  the  honor  of  informing  his  Royal  Highness  the 
Lord  High  Admiral,  that  my  colleagues,  Count  Heyden 
and  Chevalier  de  Rigny,  having  agreed  with  me  that, 
we  should  come  into  this  port,  in  order  to  induce  Ibra 
him  Pasha  to  discontinue  the  brutal  war  of  extermina 
tion,  which  he  has  been  carrying  on  since  his  return 
here  from  his  failure  in  the  Gulph  of  Patras,  the  com 
bined  squadrons  passed  the  batteries,  in  order  to  take 
up  their  anchorage,  at  about  two  o'clock  yesterday  af 
ternoon. 

The  Turkish  ships  were  moored  in  the  form  of  a 
crescent,  with  springs  on  their  cables,  the  larger  ones 
presenting  their  broadsides  towards  the  centre,  the 
smaller  ones  in  succession  within  them,  rilling  up  the 
intervals. 

The  combined  fleet  was  formed  in  the  order  of  sail 
ing  in  two  columns,  the  British  and  French  forming  the 
weather  or  starboard  line,  and  the  Russian  the  lee 
line. 

The  Asia  led  in,  followed  by  the  Genoa  and  Albion, 
and  anchored  closei  alongside  a  ship  of  the  line,  bearing 
the  flag  of  the  Capitana  Bey,  another  ship  of  the  line, 
and  a  targe  doubled  banked  frigate,  each  thus  having 
their  proper,  opponent  in  the  front  line  of  the  Turkish 
fleet.  The  four  ships  to  windward,  part  of  the  Egyp 
tian  squadron,  were  allotted  to  the  squadron  of  Rear 
Admiral  de  Kigny ;  and  those  to  leeward,  in  the  bight 
of  the  crescent,  were  to  mark  the  sections  of  the  whole 
Russian  squadron  ;  the  ships  of  their  line  closing  those 
of  the  English  line,  and  being  followed  up  by  their  own 
frigates.  The  French  frigate  Armide  was  directed  to 


GREEK  REVOLUTION.  477 

place  herself  alongside  the  outermost  frigate,  on  the 
left  hand  entering  the  harbour  ;  and  the  Cambrian, 
Glasgow,  and  Talbot  next  to  her,  and  abreast  of  the 
Asia,  Genoa  and  Aibion  ;  the  Dartmouth  and  the  Mus- 
quito,  the  Rose,  the  Brisk,  and  the  Philomel  were  to 
look  after  the  six  fire  vessels  at  the  entrance  of  the  har 
bour,  t  gave  orders  that  no  gun  should  be  fired,  un 
less  guns  were  first  fired  by  the  Turks;  and  those  or 
ders  were  strictly  observed.  The  three  English  ships 
were  accordingly  permitted  to  pass  the  batteries  to 
moor,  as  they  did  with  great  rapidity,  without  any  act 
of  open  hostility,  although  there  was  evident  prepara 
tion  for  it  on  board  all  the  Turkish  ships  ;  but  upon  the 
Dartmouth  sending  a  boat  to  one  of  the  fire  vessels, 
Lieut.  G.  W.  H.  Fitzroy  and  several  of  her  crew  were 
shot  with  musketry.  This  produced  a  defensive  fire  of 
musketry  from  the  Dartmouth  and  the  La  Sygene, 
bearing  the  flag  of  Rear  Admiral  de  Rigny.  That  was 
succeeded  by  a  cannon  shot  at  the  Rear  Admiral  from 
one  of  the  Turkish  ships,  which  of  course,  brought 
on  a  return,  and  thus,  very  shortly  afterwards,  the 
battle  became  general.  The  Asia,  although  placed 
alongside  of  the  ship  of  the  Capitana  Bey,  was  even 
nearer  to  that  of  Moharem  Bey,  the  commander  of  the 
Egyptian  ships  ;  and,  since  his  ships  did  not  fire  at  the 
Asia,  although  the  action  was  begun  to  windward,  nei 
ther  did  the  Asia  fire  at  her.  The  latter  itfdeed  sent  a 
messenger,  "  that  he  would  not  fire  at  all,"'  and  there 
fore  no  hostility  took  place  between  our  two  ships,  for 
some  time  after  the  Asia  had  returned  the  fire  of  the 
Capitana  Bey. 

In  the  mean  time,  however,  our  excellent  pilot,  Mr. 
Peter  Mitchell,  who  went  to  interpret  to  Moharem  my 
desire  to  avoid  bloodshed,  was  killed  by  his  people  in 
our  boat  alongside.  Whether  with  or  without  his  or 
der  I  know  not ;  but  his  ship  soon  afterwards  fired  into 
the  Asia  and  was  consequently  effectually  destroyed  by 
the  Asia's  fire,  sharing  the  same  fate  as  his  brother 


478  SKETCH  OF  THE 

ral  on  the  starboard  side,  and  falling  to  leeward  a  mere 
wreck.  These  ships  being  out  of  the  way,  the  Asia  be 
came  exposed  to  a  raking  tire  from  vessels  in  the  sec 
ond  and  third  line,  which  carried  away  her  mizen  mast 
by  the  board,  disabled  some  of  her  guns,  and  killed  and 
wounded  several  of  her  crew.  This  narration  of  the 
proceedings  of  the  Asia  would  probably  be  equally  ap 
plicable  to  most  of  the  other  ships  of  the  other  fleet. 
The  manner  in  which  the  Genoa  and  Albion  took  their 
stations  was  beautiful  :  and  the  conduct  of  my  brother 
Admirals,  Count  Heyden,  and  the  Chevalier  de  Rigny, 
throughout,  was  admirable  and  highly  exemplary. 

Captain  Fellows  executed  the  part  allotted  to  him 
perfectly,  and  with  the  able  assistance  of  his  little 
but  brave  detachment  saved  the  Syrene  from  being 
burnt  by  the  fire  vessels.  And  the  Cambrian,  Glasgow, 
and  Talbot,  following  the  fine  example  of  Captain  Hu- 
gon,  of  the  Armide,  who  was  opposed  to  the  leading 
frigate  of  the  line,  effecually  destroyed  by  their  oppon- 
ents,-and  also  silenced  the  batteries.  This  bloody  and 
destructive  battle  was  continued,  with  unabated  fnry, 
for  four  hours,  and  the  scene  of  wreck  and  devastation 
which  presented  itself  at  its  termination  was  such  as  has 
been  seldom  witnessed.  As  each  ship  of  our  opponents 
became  effectually  disabled,  such  of  her  crew  as  conld 
escape  from  her,  endeavoured  to  set  her  on  fire,  and  it 
it  is  wonderful  how  we  avoided  the  elFects  of  their  suc 
cessive  and  awful  explosions. 

It  s  impossible  forme  to  say  too  much  for  the  able 
and  zealous  assistance  which  I  derived  from  Capt.  Cur- 
zon  throughout  this  long  and  arduous  contest  ;  nor  can 
I  say  more  than  it  deserved  for  the  conduct  of  Com 
mander  Baynes  and  the  officers  and  crew  of  Asia,  for 
the  perfection  with  which  the  fire  of  their  guns  was  di 
rected  ;  each  vessel  in  turn,  to  which  her  broadside  was 
presented  became  a  complete  wreck.  His  Royal  High 
ness  wtll  be  aware,  that  so  complete  a  victory  by  a  few, 
however  perfect,  against  an  excessive  number,  howev. 


GREEK    REVOLUTION.  479 

er  individually  inferior,  cannot  be  acquired  but  at  con 
siderable  sacrifice  of  life  ;  accordingly  I  have  to  la 
ment  the  loss  of  Capt.  Bathurst,  of  the  Genoa,  whose 
example  on  this  occasion  is  well  worthy  the  imitation 
of  his  survivors.  Capt.  Bell  commanding  the  Royal 
Marines  of  the  Asia,  an  encellent  officers,  was  killed 
early  in  the  action,  in  the  steady  performance  of  his  du 
ty  ;  and  1  have  to  mourn  the  death  of  Mr.  William 
Smith,  the  Master,  admitted  for  the  zeal  and  ability 
with  which  he  executed  his  duty,  and  beloved  by  all  for 
his  private  qualities  as  a  man.  Mr.  Henry  S.  Dyer, 
my  Secretary,  having  received  a  severe  contusion  from 
a  splinter,  I  am  deprived  temporarily  of  his  valuable 
assistance  in  collecting  and  keeping  up  the  general  re 
turns  and  communations  of  the  squadrons  ;  I  shall 
therfore  retain  the  in  my  office  Mr.  E.  J.  T.  White,  his 
(irst  Clerk,  whom  I  had  nominated  to  succeed  the 
pursers  of  the  Brisk.  I  feel  much  personal  obligation 
to  the  Hon.  Lieut.  Col.  Craddock,  for  his  readiness, 
during  the  heat  of  the  battle,  in  carrying  my  orders 
and  messages  to  the  different  quarters  after  iny  Aides  de 
Camp  were  disabled  ;  but  I  will  beg  permission  to  re 
fer  his  Royal  Highness  for  further  particulars  of  this 
sort  to  the  details  of  the  killed  and  wounded,  a  sub 
ject  which  it  is  painful  for  me  to  dwell  upon  :  when  I 
contemplate,  as  T  do  with  extreme  sorrow,  the  extent  of 
our  loss,  I  console  myself  with  the  reflection,  that  the 
measure  which  produced  the  battle  was  absolutely  ne 
cessary  for  obtaining  the  result  contemplated  by  the 
Treaty,  and  that  it  was  brought  on  entirely  by  our  op 
ponents. 

When  I  found  that  the  boasted  Ottoman  word  of  hon 
or  was  made  a  sacrifice  to  wanton,  savage  devastation, 
and  that  a  base  advantage  was  taken  of  our  reliance 
upon  Ibrahim's  good  faith,  I  felt  a  desire  to  punish  the 
offenders.  But  it  was  my  duty  to  refrain,  and  refrain 
1  did  ;  and  1  can  assure  your  Royal  Highness,  that  I 
would  still  have  avoided  this  disastrous  extremity,  if 


480  SKETCH  OF    THE 

other  means  had  been  open  tome.  The  Asia,  Genoa, 
and  Albion,  have  each  suffered  so  much,  that  it  is  my 
intention  to  send  them  to  England  as  soon  as  they  shall 
have  received  the  necessary  repairs  for  the  voyage. 
The  Talbot,  being  closely  engaged  with  a  double-bank 
ed  frigate,  has  also  suffered  considerably,  as  well  as 
others  of  the  smaller  vessels  ;  but  I  hope  their  defects 
are  not  more  than  can  be  made  good  at  Malta.  The 
loss  of  men  in  theTurko-Egyptian  ships  must  have  been 
immense,  as  his  Royal  Highness  will  see  by  the  accom 
panying  list,  obtained  from  the  Secretary  of  the  Cap- 
itana  Bey,  which  includes  that  of  two  out  of  the  three 
ships  to  which  the  English  division  was  opposed.  Cap 
tain  Curzon  having  preferred  continuing  to  assist  me  in 
the  Asia,  I  have  given  the  charge  of  my  despatches  to 
Commander  Lord  Viscount  Ingestre,  who,  besides  hav 
ing  had  a  brilliant  share  in  the  action,  is  well  compe 
tent  to  give  his  Royal  Highness  the  Lord  High  Admiral 
any  further  particulars  he  may  require. 

I  enclose,  for  his  Royal  Highness's  further  informa 
tion,  a  letter  from  Captain  Hamilton,  descriptive  of-the 
proceedings  of  Ibrahim  Pasha,  and  the  misery  of  the 
country  which  he  has  devastated — a  protocol  of  a  con. 
ference  which  I  had  with  my  colleagues,  and  the  plan 
and  order  for  entering  the  port,  which  I  gave  out  in  con 
sequence. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  &c. 
(Signed)  E.  CODRTNGTON, 

Vice  Admiral. 


PROTOCOL. 

The  Admirals  commanding  the  s*quadrons  of  the 
three  Powers  which  signed  the  Treaty  of  London,  hav 
ing  met  before  Navarino,  for  the  purpose  of  concerting 
the  means  of  effecting  the  object  specified  in  the  said 
Treaty,  yiz  :  an  armistice  de  facto  between  the  Turks 


G  REEK  REVOLUTION.  48 1 

and  the  Greeks  have  set  forth  in   the  .present  protocol 
the  result  of  their  conference. 

Considering  that  after  the  provisional  suspension  of 
hostilities  to  which  Ibrahim  Pasha  consented  in  his  con 
ference  of  the  25th  September  last,  which  the  English 
and  French  Admirals,  acting  likewise  in  the  name  of 
the  Russian  Admiral,  the  said  Pasha  did  the  very  next 
day  violate  his  engagements  by  causing  his  fleet  to 
come  out,  with  a  view  to  its  proceeding  to  another 
point  in  the  Morea  : 

Considering  that  since  the  return  of  that  fleet  to  Nav- 
arino,  in  consequence  of  a  second  requisition  addres 
sed  to  Ibrahim  by  Admiral  Codrington,  who  had  met 
him  near  Patras,  the  troops  of  this  Pasha  have  not 
ceased  carrying  on  a  species  of  warfare  more  destruct 
ive  and  exterminating  than  before,  putting  women  and 
children  to  the  sword,  burning  the  habitations,  tearing 
up  trees  by  the  roots,  in  order  to  complete  the  devasta 
tion  of  the  country  : 

Considering  that,  with  a  view  of  putting  a  stop  to  the 
atrocities  which  exceed  all  that  has  hitherto  taken 
place,  the  means  of  persuasion  and  conciliation,  the 
represenations  made  to  the  Turkish  Chiefs,  and  the  ad 
vice  given  to  Mahomet  Ali  and  his  son,  have  been  treat 
ed  as  mockeries,  whilst  they  might,  with  one  word, 
have  suspended  the  course  of  so  many  barbarities  : 

Considering  that  there  only  remains  to  the  Command 
ers  of  the  allied  squadrons  the  choice  between  three 
modes  of  fulfilling  the  intentions  of  their  respective 
Courts,  namely  : 

1st.  That  continuing,  throughout  the  whole  of  the 
winter,  a  blockade,  difficult,  expensive,  and  perhaps 
useless,  since  a  storm  may  disperse  the  squadrons,  and 
afford  to  Ibrahim  the  facility  of  conveying  his  destroy 
ing  army  to  different  points  of  the  Morea  and  the  isl 
ands. 

2dly.  The  uniting  the  allied  squadron  in   Navarino 
itself,  and  securing  by  their  permanent  presence,  the 
41 


432  SKETCH  OF  THE  .       • 

inaction  of  the  Ottoman  fleets  ;  but  which  mode  alone 
leads  to  no  termination,  since  the  Porte  persists  in  not 
changing  its  system. 

3dly.  The  proceeding  to  take  a  ..position -with  the 
squadrons  in  Navarino,  in  order  to  renew  to  Ibrahim 
propositions  which  entering  into  tfie  spirit  of  the  Trea 
ty,  were  evidently  to  the  advantage  .of'  the~Porte  itself. 
After  having  taken  these  three  modes  into  considera 
tion,  we  have  unanimously  agreed  that  this  third  mode 
ma/,  without  effusion  of  blood  and  without  hostilities, 
but  simply  by  the  imposing  presence  of  the  squadrons, 
produce  a  determination  leading  to  the  desired  effect. 
We  have  in  consequence  adopted  it  and  set  it  forth 
in  the  present  protocol. 

October  18,  1827. 

(Signed)  EDWARD  CODRINGTON, 

Vice  Admiral  and  Commander  in  Chief  of  his  Bri 
tannic  Majesty's  ships  and  vessels  in  the  Mediterra 
nean. 

LOUIS,  COUNT  DE  HEIDEN, 
Rear  Admiral  of  his  Imperial  Majesty  the 

Emperor  of  all  the  Russias. 

H.  DE  RIGNY, 
Rear  Admiral,  commanding  the  squadron 

of  his  Most  Christian  Majesty. 

Extract  of  a  letter  from  Captain  Hamilton,   of  his  Ma 
jesty's  ship  Cambrian,  to  Vice  Admiral  Sir  Edward 
Codrington,  dated  Kitries,  the  18th  Oct.  1827. 
1  have  the   honour  of  informing  you  that  I  arrived 
here  yesterday  morning  in  company  with  the  Russian 
frigate  Constantine,  the  Captain  of  which  ship  had  pla 
ced  himself  under  my  orders.     On  entering  the  Gulph 
we  observed,  by  clouds   of  fire  and  smoke,   that  the 
work  of  devastation  was   still   going  on.     The  ships 
were  anchored  off  the  pass  of  Ancyre,  and  a  joint  let 
ter  from  myself  and  the  Russian  Captain  was  despatch 
ed  to  the  Turkish  commander,  a  copy  of  which  I  en- 


''•'.-.      GREEK  REVOLUTION.     •  433 

close  ;  the  Russian  and  English  officers,  the  hearers  of 
it,  were  not  allowed  to  proceed  to  head  quarters, 
nor  have  yet  received  any  answer.  In  the  afternoon, 
we,  the  two  Captains,  went  on  shore,  to  the  Greek 
quarters,  and  were  received  with  the  greatest  enthusi 
asm.  "The  distress"  of  the  inhabitants  driven  from  the 
plain,  is.  shocking  !— women  and  children  dying  every 
moment  of  absolute  starvation,  and  hardly  any  having 
better  food  than  boiled  grass  !  I  have  promised  to  send 
a  small  quantity  of  bread  to  the  caves  in  the  mountains, 
where  these  unfortunate 'wretches  have  taken  refuge. 

It  is  supposed  that  if  Ibrahim  remains  in  Greece, 
more  than  a  third  of  its  inhabitants  will  die  of  absolute 
starvation. 

As  the  squadron  of  the  Allied  Powers  did  not  enter 
Navarino,  with  a  hostile  intention,  but  only  to  renew  to 
the  Commanders  of  the  Turkish  fleet  propositions  which 
were  to  the  advantage  of  the  Grand  Seignor  himself,  it 
is  not  our  intention  to  destroy  what  ships  of  the  Otto 
man  navy  may  yet  remain,  now  that  so  signal  a  ven 
geance  has  been  taken  for  the  first  cannon  shot  which 
has  been  ventured  to  be  fired  on  the  allied  iiags. 

We  send,  therefore,  one  of  the  Turkish  Captains, 
fallen  into  our  hands  as  a  prisoner,  to  make  known  to 
Ibrahim  Pasha,  Mouharem  Bey,  Tahir  Pasha,  and 
Capitana  Bey,  as  well  as  to  all  the  other  Turkish  Chiefs, 
that  if  one  single  musket  or  cannon  shot  be  again  fired 
on  a  ship  or  boat  of  the  Allied  Powers,  we  shall  imme 
diately  destroy  all  the  remaining  vessels  as  well  as  the 
forts  of  Navarino,  and  that  we  shall  consider  such 
new  act  of  hostility  as  a  formal  declaration  of  the  Porte 
against  the  three  Allied  Powers,  and  of  which  the 
Grand  Seignor  and  his  Pashas  must  suffer  the  terri 
ble  consequences. 

But  if  the  Turkish  Chiefs,  acknowledging  the  ag 
gression  they  have  committed  by  commencing  the  fir 
ing,  abstain  from  any  act  of  hostility,  we  shall  resume 
those  terms  of  good  understanding  which  they  have 


434  SKETCH    OF  THE 

themselves  interpreted.  In  this  case  they  will  have  the 
white  flag -hoisted  on  all  the  forts  before  the  end  of  thi* 
day.  We  demand  a  categorical  answer,  without  eva 
sion,  before  sunset. 

Signed  by  the   English,  French,  and  Russian  Admi 
rals. 

His  Britannic  Majesty"*  s  Ship  Asia, 

Navarin,  23d  Oct.  1824. 
Monsieur  L'Amiral — 

When  your  Excellency  did  me  the  honor  of  volunta 
rily  placing  yourself  and  the  Russian  squadron  tinder 
my  command,  you  gave  me  a  right  to  judge  of  your  con 
duct  in  that  situation  by  making  me. in  a  great  measure 
responsible  for  it.  I  take  advantage  then  of  that  right 
to  say,  that  I  contemplated  your  way  of  leading  your 
squadron  into  battle  on  the  20th  with  the  greatest  pleas 
ure,  that  nothing  can  exceed  the  good  management  of 
the  ships  under  your  special  direction,  and  that  my 
having  had  you  under  my  orders  in  that  bloody  and  de 
structive  engagement,  will  be  one  of  the  proudest 
events  of  my  life. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  &c. 
(Signed)  EDWARD  CODRINCTON. 

To  his  Excellency,  Rear  Admiral  Count  Ileiden.  &c. 


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